Gentle Encouragement

Recently, I've been unintentionally avoiding writing due to a lack of focus and the emotions that arise during the process.

While on a getaway with my husband, Curnell, I rose early one morning and began scrolling through funny reels on Instagram. “You need to get up and write and get off social media,” I heard him say. I didn’t think he could hear my chuckles through his light snoring.

Surprised to hear his voice, it took me a moment to understand what Curnell said. I jumped up and said mockingly, “Yessir,” and laid my phone on the nightstand. I walked to the front room to sit at the desk where my two notebooks were. “$h!T, I don’t have a pen,” I said out loud to myself, but loud enough for the excuse to be heard. “I’ll go get you one,” Curnell shot back. Within minutes, He left the room and returned with three pens, a coffee, and breakfast from the hotel buffet.

“You’ll write for an hour?” he questioned. “Um, yes,” I said, wondering if he was trying to get away from me. “See you then,” he said, not looking for an answer, and left the room.

The day before, I curated ideas and revised chapters in my head. But it means nothing if it remains in my head and not on paper.

That early morning dose of encouragement resulted in ten pages of writing, including a poem.

We all need encouragement to push through a block or phase to move us to put action behind our words.  Our words can encourage a friend or family member pursuing a goal or recovering from a health event, like a stroke or cancer treatment. A phone call or text saying, “You can do it,” “Thinking about you,” “I’m proud of you,” or “Praying for you,” can go a long way. That message can be the encouragement the receiver needs that day to take one step to become closer to their goal or healing than they were the moment before your message.

This early morning ten-page writing session reminded me of the good words can do to encourage. Words are powerful, and we shouldn’t dismiss their power to do good when used with positive intent.

Thank you for being my encourager, Curnell, and Happy Anniversary!