Encouraging Good Works

And let us encourage one another to love and good works

(Hebrews 10:24)

A year ago this week, I accepted the challenge of becoming a community blogger for the Stuttgart Daily Leader and sharing my Purposed Work blog in other Gatehouse Media online editions in Arkansas. At first, I wondered if I could really come up with enough content to post on a weekly, consistent basis. Fifty posts later, I can humbly say that it is possible because of the love and encouragement received. Thank you to all of the dedicated readers and commenters.

It took a lot of courage for me to expose the mountains and valleys of building a business and a brand, while attempting to maintain my primary role as a wife and mother. One the flip side, because I know that I opened myself to more people following the journey, I have had to lean on the knowledge that others are watching to give myself motivation to persevere when unexpected life events happen (like dealing with a major relocation). My faith has been tested in this year. However, the results of those trials have been exceedingly more than I ever expected or imagined. Thank you all for your virtual encouragement.

This blog is titled Purposed Work as a testament of the journey of releasing what I thought I would do through self-effort to receiving instruction for the work I was purposed to do through divine insight. At this point, I can say Thank You for unanswered prayers, for closed doors, and for earthly no’s because I am steps closer to a supernatural yes. On days where I am lead to places I never imagined, I forge ahead on the path, standing on the promise that faith, without good works, is dead. That blind faith and encouragement from those following the journey has allowed my business to grow into areas I never considered. Thank you all for your prayers and considerations.

One of the unexpected outcomes from writing this blog is the opportunity to mentor others in their efforts to walk by faith. I have received so many calls and emails and made so many new friends along the way. We encourage each other by sharing our stories of grace, mercy, favor, love, and humility in doing purposed work that does not happen easily but is needed to improve our communities. Thank you all for your service.

Sometimes you have to encourage yourself. Sometimes you have to speak victory during your test. And no matter how you feel, speak the word and you will be healed.*** Encourage yourself and others through love and good works. Has your purposed work led you to encourage others to persevere in their good works? Feel free to comment, or, send me an email at latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.

*** http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/donaldlawrence/encourageyourself.html ***

Goodwill for Good Works

And let us be concerned about one another

in order to promote love and good works.

(Hebrews 10:24)

Like many people, Christmas is my favorite time of the year. Love. Joy. Peace. Goodwill. Recently, I was watching the morning news and quickly became irritated about number of bad reports so early in the day. I almost turned off the TV, until I heard a story about a Christmas Angel: An elderly woman gave $5000 to a local retailer to cover the final cost of Christmas layaways. Her motivation: she remembered the year that her parents were not able to give gifts.

Here is an expression of love from an elderly woman, concerned about children having a Merry Christmas. As parents, are we teaching our children similar lessons about care and concern for our elderly? Growing up in Stuttgart, we did not give a second thought if a neighbor saw us out playing and politely asked us to go to Bowman’s Grocery, IGA, or Jimmy’s Quick Check to pick up a few items. We simply stopped what we were doing, walked to the store, gathered the requested items, and returned all left over change. As adults, we realize that those good works were valuable life lessons in developing ethics, honesty, integrity, etc. We did not have to wait until holiday season to demonstrate goodwill—it was expected everyday.

We have been graced to give our son a good life. As he enters the teenage years, we realize that we want him to have some of the same experiences we had growing up, purposely trying to avoid a sense of entitlement and instead, encourage the goodwill of character. We are advocates for preparing children for future industrial works, so we can begin by introducing them to some old-fashioned, hands-on work that can benefit an elderly neighbor. Here are some examples of good works that can be performed over the Christmas break:
Washing the dishes (or at least loading the dishwasher)
Raking the leaves (or at least using the blower and bagging)
Running errands (or at least asking a parent to drive)
Bathing the pet and cleaning out the kennel
Replacing the trash cans with recycling bins
These efforts do not cost anything, but time. Perhaps actually doing the work may spark an innovative method of performing the task more efficiently or effectively (wishful thinking on my part). And if nothing else, perhaps the effort may spark a future memory from a conversation held during the action or become a future source of motivation / inspiration during gift giving seasons.

‘Tis the season of peace on Earth, goodwill toward men. What are you doing to encourage your children to show concern for others by demonstrating love and practicing acts of good works? Let us know by commenting or sending me an email at latanyua.robinson@gmail.com. If you like this post and want to catch up on some of my previous discussions, please visit the full Purposed Work blog at http://ltr-latrobe-mfg.blogspot.com/.