ENCOURAGEMENT

Encouragement is a Powerful Thing.

What a TRUE STATEMENT!

I'm not certain if I've been an encourager my entire life, but I do remember my mother stating something to that effect when I was young. Her exact words (which I replay in my mind) were, "You will tell a woman with the ugliest dress that it is beautiful." Honestly, I have a feeling I thought the dress WAS beautiful (so I hope that doesn't disqualify me!). Maybe what amazed her was that I would speak to anyone; whether I knew them or not. I also remember my 2nd grade teacher calling my parents to say she had to continually move my "desk" in the classroom (I know it's hard to believe, I talked too much!); no matter where she moved me, I made a new friend!

As an adult, after facing loads of despair (and God bringing me out it ALL), I HONESTLY LOVE to encourage others. It comes extremely easy for me - although sometimes I am afraid the recipient might think I'm silly (or that they simply don't care if I appreciate them). I always do it anyway. What I have learned is this: Life is too short NOT to say what we honestly feel (ONLY if it's positive).

Another thing about encouragement, it MUST be honest. Offering words of encouragement, for the sake of encouraging, never works. People have internal sensors and can tell when you're not genuine or lying (it amazes me how many people don't realize that!). So rather than saying anything negative, or untrue, I simply say nothing.

I received the MOST BEAUTIFUL encouragement card pack from DaySpring in the mail. Not only was EVERY SINGLE CARD beautiful-with gorgeous details (and amazing verbiage), but the pack came with an added surprise. Located inside the pack was a decorative note page; indicating greeting cards CAN make a difference, along with a reminder of how amazing it can be to receive a word of encouragement from a friend in the mail. As a special added bonus, the note page included a special scripture (which always encourages me!):

Encourage one another and build each other up.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV

At the bottom of the note were lines, numbered, to write the names of the friends you mailed the cards to. I thought it was an awesome reminder for prayer! Every time I removed a card to mail, I was reminded to pray for the ones previously sent. What a blessing for both of us!

Please take a moment to visit DaySpring on-line, you won't be disappointed!
http://store.dayspring.com/

Also, DaySpring offers a Heart Connection Card Club Partner Program, where you earn $5 for each new person you refer! It’s separate from DaySpring’s Affiliate Program.
http://cards.dayspring.com/partners/details.asp

You can get all the program details here!

To be completely honest, after receiving these cards, I will be signing up ASAP!

THIS is DaySpring's Vision Statement:
Connecting people with the heart of God through messages of hope and encouragement every day, everywhere.
PRAISE BE TO GOD!

The first greeting card created by DaySpring was a Christmas card; with a very simple but direct message.
The cover of the card showed a man sitting near a Christmas tree after the gifts had been opened.
There was a look of despair on his face.

The cover read: "When you get right down to it...";
and the inside of the card read: "...the only thing that really matters is Jesus."

DaySpring gave me this product for review and all opinions given are my own.