National Day of Encouragement

One of the blogs I follow is (in)courage. (In)courage has been celebrating their one year anniversary and there have been 30 Days of Giveaways! WOW!

One of the giveaways I participated/won is from Day 11. (They sent the first 400 entries a free pack of ten cards from DaySpring's new Hope and Encouragement line.) All they asked in return is for me to write a post on my blog and link it back to them, sharing my story about how I used one of the cards to encourage someone else. Because you see, today (September 12th) is the National Day of Encouragement.

Here is the card I chose:

Yeah, totally been there.
You're going to make it...
and you'll have love and prayers with you all the way.

He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion. Philippians 1:6 NIV

I am sending the card to one of my Bible Study Buddies. She has suffered from a hip problem for years. She's had multiple surgeries, been in almost constant pain and has been told that it will be a year to recover from her latest surgery. During these past years, she has shown such gentleness of spirit and patience.  And amazing (to me) is the care and encouragement she has shown toward others during her difficult time. When I heard about her latest prognosis, I was told that she was discouraged and I thought about God's perfect timing for me to send her encouragement through this card. I'll write my prayer for her continued healing and patience during this time. For wisdom for her doctors and gentle care from her physical therapist and my hope is that she feels God's love and mine when she receives the card.

Once I have linked my post back to (in)courage, I'm entered to win $500.
$250 will go to a charity I choose and $250 for me.

Yet I'm changing their rules a bit because I'd like to give $250 to two charities.

1) I would donate $250 to Compassion International's Unsponsored Children's Fund which "can help children see hope in Compassion's program by providing care until they find a sponsor." (Over the past few days, a group of bloggers have been on a mission trip with Compassion to Guatemala. Because of unemployment I'm not able to commit to sponsor a child at this time, yet love the idea of being able to "Show the love of Christ immediately.") (Words in quotes are from Compassion International's website.)

2) I would also donate $250 to Americans for Native Americans because this is an organization close to my Bible Study Buddy's heart. Their Mission Statement says, "Americans for Native Americans is dedicated to improving the quality of life of Native Americans by providing essential goods and programs which foster self-reliance and mutual understanding." Americans for Native Americans focuses on those living in the Southwest United States. (Words in quotes are from Americans for Native Americans' website.)

I am grateful for the ten free cards from (in)courage and am looking forward to sending out nine more to those who need encouragement.

Can you imagine how the world would be with people encouraging each other?
Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.
1Thessalonians 5:11 NIV


Good luck to the 400 bloggers/commenters for the chance to win $500!

This experience has been a blessing for me. Thank you (in)courage!

Updated on September 13: Congratulations to Amy from Thoughts on the Divine for winning the $500 from (in)courage!