a sort of interlude

So, tonight I want to talk about encouragement; both giving and receiving it. It's funny how we can get excited about something in life, a victory, an acquired item, a new discovery, success, etc...It's ours, all our own and yet in our excitement we share our joy with anybody and everybody. A few really understand the significance of what we are celebrating, some fake (good form), some may be indifferent and then some may question the purpose of being excited at all. There is a good book that many of you are familiar with and in it are some words to challenge us all, "rejoice with those who are rejoicing and mourn with those who are mourning."

Now I have to say that in most cases, it's much easier to rejoice with those who are rejoicing, well, not always. Sometimes the person who is rejoicing is doing so concerning something that you yourself may not have achieved yet in life. That can be a drag. While they are full of joy, you are full of defeat. That's a drag for sure. Cynicism filling your heart and mind. Faking your smile.

Then there are cases where you are around someone celebrating and you are mourning over a loss. I hadn't really considered that case until this year after listening to a sermon on the subject. It's funny, I've always though of that verse of "rejoicing with the rejoicers and mourning with the mourners", as though participating from a neutral point of view. You know, neither rejoicing nor mourning, just being. But, what a challenge to rejoice with the rejoicers when you are in the middle of mourning. Tough.

Then there's the mourning with the mourners when you are in the spirit of rejoicing. Now that's a bit of a kill-joy situation.

I believe it is vital to hold on tightly to every piece of joy and encouragement we get out of life. Guard it, protect it, don't let the circumstances of the moment rob us of that joy, because some things are only single events of a lifetime, and to let another person or circumstance short-change your moment, is pure robbery. It's an art, grace, generosity, kindness, love, patience, peace...expressed by the one on the giving end. You know, rejoicing when you don't "feel like it", mourning when you don't "feel like it". It takes sacrifice and love and kindness on our parts to fill those roles as they come and yet not lose the moment in our own circumstances if we are giving while yet being in a place as the receiver as well.

Does this make sense or am I just rambling? I just know I've heard a lot of people talk about reasons for giving up on each other and the things they spoke of are circumstances that I have gone through as well and yet I stuck it out. Life is hard, but it can be full of greatness. Just don't miss out on the greatness of life. I'm not sure this was very helpful to anyone. Have a great day!
James