By 
The greatest need in the world is to know and experience the love of God. I am often overwhelmed by it. It moves me to places I might never have traveled, and it moves me to take action in ways I might never have considered. God’s love compels. God’s love directs. His love fills the innermost corners of my soul. His love digs deep into the hearts and hurts of those around me, and works its way up to reveal things I might never have noticed.
God’s love is a perfect unifier.
Beyond all these things put on and wrap yourselves in [unselfish] love, which is the perfect bond of unity [for everything is bound together in agreement when each one seeks the best for others].
~ Colossians 3:14 (AMP)
God’s love fulfills the entire law.
For the whole Law [concerning human relationships] is fulfilled in one precept, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself [that is, you shall have an unselfish concern for others and do things for their benefit].”
~ Galatians 5:14 (AMP)
God’s love identifies us as those who belong to Him.
Beloved, let us [unselfishly] love and seek the best for one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves [others] is born of God and knows God [through personal experience].
~ 1 John 4:7 (AMP)
It happened again just today, as I stood in front of the dryer amidst the busy morning rush, folding clothes. God’s love flooded in, and it felt as though my heart would burst right out. My son, 10 years old, was in need of encouragement, and almost like a whisper, God’s love spoke simple words of action. Right there, in my laundry room, a powerful plan took shape.
The rush of the morning ceased for a moment and I found myself moving downstairs. I was going to write him a note, and I was going to use the good stuff. Intentional. Purposeful. I will tell him that I am proud of him for trying out for the Math competition yesterday. I will tell him that no matter what happens, I am proud that he took a shot at it. That he tried. I will tell him, that is how life should be, having the courage to try, to discover what you really love to do. I will tell him I love him and that I am praying for him, no matter what the outcome might be.
I hurry downstairs, sneaking swiftly past the school day clutter, making my way to the sacred drawer filled with shiny envelopes and pretty papers. The good stuff. The weight of the paper itself communicated significance, importance, in this drawer tucked away for special people and important moments. I write words, God-imagined, and with an overflowing soul hand it over to the son they were directed to.
He was surprised—head cocked to one side, eyes glowing, beaming with joy. He said, "For me, really?"
Encouragement should surprise.
It should sweep over us like a powerful wave, unexpected but needed. The moments God chooses to encourage are perfect, because He is a perfect God. A good God. Encouragement is the power of God’s love flowing into my heart and out through the work of my hands. When it touches another soul it has the power to heal, to propel, to break chains, and to change lives.
As I dropped this encouraged son at school, I watched him walk with confidence, no matter what. In his hand he carried a shiny white envelope—the envelope out in front, as if it were leading the way. Overfilled, I watched the power of encouragement fueled by the love of God walk into that school.
I pondered, for a moment, what it might do for others in his path along the way, because that's how encouragement works. It keeps going. God’s love cannot be held back or restrained when it's made its way to another soul. It multiplies; it grows in one heart and then bursts outward in the direction of others. Encouragement begets encouragement. When we know that we are loved, that we are noticed, that we are wanted, no matter what, we are encouraged.
God’s love is the power of encouragement.
[For my hope is] that their hearts may be encouraged as they are knit together in [unselfish] love...
~ Colossians 2:2 (AMP)
Windy Gallagher
Windy Gallagher lives in Tyler, Texas where she is a thankful wife to her college sweetheart, and a mother of two brave and handsome boys. Windy has been a Womenary student for many years and is a member of the Womenary board. Her passion for the Lord is often expressed through her writing about the real struggles of life and the practical and profound ways God uses them to bring victory and freedom in her life. Join her on Facebook or twitter @windybecca 
