Such a simple thing

I love the Ray LaMontagne song by the same title... but that's not what this is about. In some ways, it is much simpler...

Why is it so difficult for us to encourage one another? Oh, I know... we all have different "love languages." But I fear we 'americans' (at least those of us in the USA) have become so much more adept at enemy-making than encouraging. And it is discouraging.

The other day I was feeling particularly low. There is such a divide over the reality and/or handling of the virus, police brutality, racism, and virtually everything is politically divisive anymore. Everything. I was feeling like an outcast at work, online, and in my family even. Like, I'm the only one still concerned about the virus. My mom and my aunts "like" every one of my sister's Facebook posts, but they ignore mine since we disagree on things. I know it seems petty and trite and I'm likely just imagining everything (although I don't really believe I'm imagining it, it's just what I'm saying to cope)...

So I was laying in bed wide awake at 2 am the other morning, worrying about how peculiar I am, how alone I feel, wondering if I should delete my Facebook account, quit my job, and just hermit myself away somewhere... I finally just got out of bed, and I opened my email to find a simple note of encouragement from someone I barely know. It said...

"Hi, Dan! I really respect and appreciate the posts you are making on Facebook to support Black Lives Matter. It's encouraging to see someone I look up to confidently post about something I believe in."

Such a simple note. Simple words. Simply made me... cry - even now as I type it.

The fact that it was someone I barely know, someone barely out of college in her early twenties, whose dad was a pastor but I doubt she has any clue about my history... just totally random. Stuff like that I think you have to attribute to the Spirit at work. Such a simple thing...

So, of course, it makes me wonder what is stifling the Spirit in my life, ya know, and the lives of so many.

In Paul's first letter to the Thessalonians he offers some final advice... (1 Thess. 5:19-22)

Do not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at prophecies, but test everything that is said. Hold on to what is good. Stay away from every kind of evil.

Hold on to what is good and stay away from evil. That seems pretty simple, doesn't it? Perhaps simpler still if we would encourage one another along those lines more often, eh?

So, anyway, I'm trying to think of some simple ways to encourage others... to hold on to what is good.

I remember at the start of this pandemic I jotted down a little ditty about dealing with stress: take 3 deep breaths, think of 3 things you're thankful for, and smile for 3 seconds...

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Breathing is simple (though deep breathing does take some intentionality, but is worthwhile).

I'm thankful for: someone actually looks up to me; I have a new bike; I have at least one friend.

Now I'm simply smiling. :)