Encouragement

Our world loves to glorify beautiful people. We look up to and praise those who have accomplished much in visible measures. We lift up as role models and examples those who excel in sports, write books, own the stage, or excel in business and politics. I don’t want to look down on those accomplishments and those examples, there is much we can learn from them.

But let’s face it: Life can also be messy. Not everybody gets to live in the limelight as one of the beautiful people. Some people find themselves struggling to just tread water through very difficult circumstances.

Sometimes the trials we face in life are a result of our own doing. Sometimes they are a result of a wrong committed against us. Oftentimes we just don’t know. But there is little doubt we are surrounded by people facing unfair circumstances in every direction we look.

And many of them, those fighting to make the most of it, deserve our respect and our praise. But they are often overlooked by a society that often praises all the wrong measures of success.

So just for today, in some small little way…  recognize those who are working hard to make the best of a bad situation. Let them know you see them, and encourage them.

Here’s to those raising kids without the support of a responsible partner.

Here’s to those striving to overcome the cycle of poverty or addiction in your family.

Here’s to those working two jobs to provide your children with more opportunity than you had growing up.

Here’s to those who have been treated unfairly in the workplace and are working hard to start again.

Here’s to those of you battling a disease that seeks to destroy your body.

Here’s to those caring faithfully for a loved one who is nearing the end.

Here’s to those who have been knocked down by life, but are staggering to get back up.

 Not only that, we also thank you. Thank you for inspiring us. Thank you for working hard to make life better—not just for yourself, but for those closest to you. We need more people like you in our world.

We see you. We want to encourage you. You’re working harder at life than I am.

If we are really honest with ourselves, we have to admit that we have been frequently quick to assume and slow to empathize many times. Let us be aware of the struggles around us. Can I get an amen?

~Allison