Building One Another  

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. I Thessalonians 5:11

Surprise Brings Joy!

Dear Friend,

Surprises can thrill us, renew us and bring us joy, although we do know some surprises can be painful and very difficult to bear. To actually encourage people, what kind of surprises do you want to bring into their lives?

Surprising people in a manner that sparks joy is one wonderful way to practice the words of I Thessalonians 5:11, “encourage one another and build up one another.”

One of the things we learn from Chip and Dan Heath’s book "The Power of Moments", is that it takes thought and effort to elevate an ordinary moment so that it encourages the heart and so that it is memorable.

This advent season is the perfect time to think through some of the people in your life – those who are close to you – family, friends and so on – and those less familiar to you – your supermarket clerks, the people who serve you at Starbucks, your postman, those whom you ordinarily might not pay attention to.

What might you do – a word spoken, an act taken – that would lift their hearts – even if it requires you to step out of your comfort zone or even feels a tad embarrassing to you?

Then narrow it down. Choose a few people and follow-through. Ask the Lord who loves you to love others through you as you surprise them with joy

Joy to you - Stan

© Copyright 2021 E. Stanley Ott

Scripture from the ESV

Think of a time someone surprised you in such a way that you experienced joy - what did they do? How did you react?

Who are some people in your life - some close to you - others you know of but don't really know? How may you surprise them, in such a way as to bring joy to them? A gift? A smile? A word of thanks or encouragement or blessing? Something else?

Will you do it? When?

Photo by Joice Kelly on Unsplash‍