I love God. I'm constantly longing to know Him better. It seems like every day I discover new and exciting things about Him. Nothing makes me happier than when I get to share those things with another person and they're encouraged. I long to share. I want to spread hope and encouragement. I want to tell people that God is longing for a relationship with them, that Jesus is real and He makes a difference, and that the Holy Spirit does transform our lives. It's like an ache inside. Sometimes, I wish I was a pastor so that at least once a week I could unload! In fact, sometimes I think if I don't share, I'll burst!!
My husband is wonderful and listens interestedly. My kids--well, do they have a choice? Sometimes they're interested and sometimes they tell me I use too many words. (Gotta love their honesty!) I have really great friends that listen, but sometimes too many days go by and a lot of things build up. The other day I was pondering this and thinking that surely God has put this desire in me to share. How, though, how? I thought I heard a whisper, "Start a blog." Could this be God? It would be an outlet. What if once in a while someone stumbled upon it and was encouraged? It might keep me from bursting! (This would be good. Sometimes that bursting thing is overwhelming judging by the expressions on the faces of those present when it happens!)
I'm pretty sure it's a calling, this urge to encourage. Romans 12:8 says, "If your gift is to encourage others, do it!" So that's what I want to do, not in a Pollyanna-don't-worry-be-happy sort of way, but in a based-on-the-Solid-Rock sort of way. The apostle Peter says it best:
My purpose in writing is to encourage you and assure you that the grace of God is with you no matter what happens.
(I Peter 5:12)
