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What is it about the words of affirmation from another that are so powerful? Why do our hearts almost jump out of our chest when someone looks us square in the eye and says something about us that we thought no one else knew but wish they did? How can a relationship with someone go so deep so fast in the midst of real community and honest talk of one another?

Well, those are great questions and I am not going to pretend to know the answers to them, but something I do know is that I like it when they happen! It seems like when a group of people get together and they decide that it is time to be honest about what they see in each other that is unique 0r profound or just simply eye catching, God invades and empowers the words. They go deep, to places that we wish we visited more often. They seem to hang in the air like the fragrance of something sweet and filling. And I can’t seem to get enough!

I mean, when you hear from the mouth of another, that they spot that you are doing something or are something that you always wished that you might be, it makes your heart almost beat out of your chest and your eyes release a flood of joyful tears. When you know that someone else knows something about you that you didn’t know they knew, it’s like God just reached out and gave you big hug saying, ” I know who you are and I like to brag about you to others and to let them in on what I already know about you.”

We have treasures stowed away in some locker deep in hearts and there is tension about them. On one hand , we wish we were known fully by those around us. So that they could better understand our motives and know whats going on without having to say anything. To have a connection with someone else that is real and safe to be ourselves. We want to be known! On the other hand we are afraid because we have also been hurt by people who know too much about us. They took advantage of us or broke trust in a situation. So we hide ourselves in shallow relationships and cultural norms and escape with endless entertainment and worthless speech that keeps us on the surface, safe and secure, knowing that if you could stay here you wont get hurt. Or at least if we do it wont be as bad.

But I am here to tell you that the joy that comes in the real honest moments of encouragement, far outweighs the pain of betrayal. Forgiveness is deep and healing, and encouragement is knowing that God really cares enough to show you off to others! Open yourself up, come out from hiding, take your light out from under that basket, you are amazing and God want to show you off!!