Genuine Article
Have you noticed that many organizations attempt to pitch their products and services as the genuine article? The term genuine certainly carries an appealing connotation with it. Genuine is associated with trustworthy products backed by trustworthy people. Consumers are always searching for something genuine and they’re wary of products and services that over promise, but under deliver. During the Christmas Shopping Season, we search for gifts that aren’t simply genuine, but convey our genuine sentiments for loved ones. The thoughtfulness of a gift is truly what matters, but the genuine words of a friend are an even better gift than a Christmas Present. There’s a lot of power within the gift of an encouraging word from a genuine friend.
In thinking about some of the wins that I have experienced throughout 2010, I’m reminded of the power of encouraging words spoken to me by some genuine people in my life. Make no mistake, encouraging words aren’t simply fluff. Encouraging words originate out of genuine motives to help another person. I’m not not only encouraged by inspiring words, I’m encouraged by challenging words that charge me to keep moving forward. Only certain people can challenge us because not everyone is fully vested in our lives. We each have unique opportunities to inspire and challenge other people. Genuine motives allow us to inspire and challenge our sons, daughters, parents, spouses, brothers, sisters and our friends with encouraging words.
As we prepare to close one year and head into the next, we tend to ponder the turning points of our past and our future goals. These are great things to consider, but I’m thinking about things a little differently this year. I’m thinking of the consistent voices of encouragement speaking into my life. These voices are a blessing for me and I too have a responsibility to be an encouraging voice in the lives of others. The effect of encouraging words from genuine people are a great gift, but they don’t come with much fanfare. The impact of encouraging words is cumulative. The cumulative impact of encouraging words is like an artistic force that shapes our very identity. Encouraging words are that powerful. We have the opportunity to give and receive encouraging words in a way that reflects the faithful and steadfast nature of our Heavenly Father. His grace is like the steady flow of a river that shapes us into the genuine article.
What’s the best “genuine” Christmas present that you have ever received? A Genuine Carbine Action Red Ryder BB Gun? A Snuggie? A Genuine Billy Bass? A Fruit Cake?
