Much-Needed Encouragement

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." - Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)

In the middle of a pretty terrible school day, a student walked into my room and completely brightened my day. I had been discouraged because of students' poor attitudes and even worse grades, but into my room came a breath of fresh air. This students said to me: "Mrs. Hornbuckle, I just want to say thank you." "For what?" I asked. "Well, because I made a good grade on a test in your class, it gave me the motivation and the courage to try in my other classes. After making an 'A' in your class, it really encouraged me, so I started studying; then I made a 100 on my vocabulary test. Thank you!"

I believe that God sent her to encourage me and lift me up during the darkest hour of my day. I really needed to hear what she said. This experience opened my eyes to an important realization: just because we do not see the influence or the impact that we have on other peoples' lives does not mean that our efforts are for naught. We need to keep investing in others even though we may never see the fruit of our labors. After all, we are to serve and bring glory to God not ourselves. Living in this way requires faith.

"Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible."

- Hebrews 11: 1-3