Blessed Are You Among Women

Luke 1:41&42 When Elizabeth heard Mary’s greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. In a loud voice she exclaimed: ”Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the child you will bear!”

            Each year Pam and I visit a resort in Cabo San Lucas Mexico. Early in the morning, usually around first light, a resort worker carefully rakes smooth the sand on the beach. It is an entry level position. It is hard work. But each and every day that is what he does. It looks nice. On one of my first visits to the resort I found my favorite chair, drank a cup of coffee, and watched him work. When he took a break I walked up to him and told him how nice the beach looked. It was a simple compliment. But you would have thought I had given him a million pesos. That simple act of kindness made his. And that set me to thinking…….

            Giving one another encouragement is an important element of the Christian walk. There are times when serving the Lord is difficult. The demands of our daily lives can conflict with our desire to serve the Lord and serve to the best of our ability.  A simple word of thanks or encouragement from someone can make all the difference.

Elizabeth’s greeting to Mary is one example of encouragement. Mary has a most difficult time ahead of her. Elizabeth, who has been blessed with a child she will give birth to in the next several months, offers Mary encouragement. She reaches out in love to let Mary know that she is important. Mary knows the importance of the child in her womb. Mary is also very human and subject to all the emotions and human frailties that a pregnant women has.  The kind word brings Mary to sing praises to the Lord in what we now call The Magnificat (Luke 1:46-55.)

Can you remember the last time you encouraged someone who serves others in ministry? Encouragement is so very important. I can speak to this from personal experience. I have my been given encouragement and it makes a HUGE difference. Take the time this Advent season to begin offering encouragement to others as a regular part of your life in Christ. Share the love of Christ with others just as Jesus shared his love with us.

PRAYER: Father, help us to remember to share Your love with others who serve in ministry. Let our words be sweet, and pleasing to those who need a friendly word of support. We ask for Your Holy Spirit to fill us with the love we need to freely share each and every day of our lives. This we ask in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. One God now and forever, Amen.