"I can live for two months...

...on a good compliment." While teaching English at various locations and teaching MKs at the YWAM missionary school, we are reminded of the truth of this quote from Mark Twain. Let's face it, learning--especially a new language--is an arduous task. Actually, taking on any new challenge can be, well, challenging. The more we can encourage one another along the way, the more likely we are to follow through and "echale ganas!" (go for it!).

Kids love compliments--we see it every day at the boys shelter. One good compliment and you'd think you had just given them a grande Tommy Turtle Sundae (my apologies if you don't know about Captain Sundae in Holland, MI).

But adults appreciate compliments just as much... "puedes hacerlo, poco a poco" (you can do it, little by little). Learning a new language, starting a new job, going back to school, raising kids... life. We're all in this together. Who can you give a "good compliment" to today?

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. Ephesians 4:29

Discipleship

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.
Matthew 16:24

Hard words... but two things I have found to be true when we "deny" self:

1. We open ourselves up to the Lord's provision and blessing in our lives. Rather than conspiring and striving to get what we want, when we deny self and follow Christ, He takes care of our needs--then we find that His blessings are better than anything we could hope to achieve for ourselves.
   
2. The focus moves off ourselves to others and we are more likely to be conduits of blessing to the people God puts in our path. When God does bless us (which is everyday), we see those blessings as opportunities to bless others, rather than stockpiling them for ourselves.