Encourage

 

Today while riding down a backroad I thought of how life is full of twisty, winding roads. Sometimes the curves mild, and you get plenty of notice, but sometimes they are hair-pins. Sometimes the bumps in the road leave you feeling like you're on a roller coaster, with that crazy funny feeling in your stomach as you go flying over the hump. Sometimes, though, they just leave you sick to your stomach. 

It's always easier to drive in the sunshine, at least for me. 

Have you ever been on a long road trip, where it seems like you've been driving for miles? I can remember one time... I don't remember where we were going... but we didn't think we were ever going to get to a gas station. 

At times like those, there's something magical about a road sign showing a gas station. 

Sometimes, we all need a little gas... 

Humans run on oxygen and water and calories and sleep. Physiologically, if we don't have enough oxygen, our cells will die. It's why you have chest pain with a heart attack- your body is warning you. If we don't get enough water or calories, we'll die because our body won't have the energy to do what is needed internally to keep on ticking. Rest allows us to rebuild and heal. These things are kind of like the gas, oil, the battery, and the tires on your vehicle. You most likely wouldn't start off on a road trip without checking these essential elements. 

Mentally, we have needs as well. It is too easy to drive down life's roads and spin out... hydroplane... or get so lost that you don't know where you are going. Negativity can do that. Fear and doubt can do that. 

Sometimes, we can encourage ourselves. We can get our bearing and figure out how to get back on the right road, or at least how we need to go to be heading in the right direction. 

Most of the time, though, we need a GPS that speaks in an English accent telling us where to make a turn and when to make a u-turn.

That comes in the form of another person encouraging us. 

It's one of the reasons that I write and share, and try to be so vulnerable. I can't figure out how to find my own way, but I can look at your situation and see that you have hope. Too often we are too far below the clouds to see the hope ourselves. 

"En-courage"

The prefix "en" means to "put into" or "cover with". 

So, if I'm "encouraging" you, essentially I'm 'putting courage into you, or covering you with courage." 

Isn't that something we all need? 

So, tonight I want to encourage you. If you feel lost, figure out where you need to make a u-turn and do so. Get on a different road. You're never truly lost as long as you have gas! Keep driving, even through the rain. The fun is really in the journey. Sometimes, it's actually more about the journey than the actual destination. 

Take courage. Try new roads. Seek adventure. I'm proud of you, friend! <3