Encouraging people brings me joy. The funny thing about that statement stems from the fact that I am shy. Ergo, the activity that brings me joy sometimes requires a heavy-handed heap of bravery. Why in the world must life feel so all over the place?

Last weekend I attended a women’s conference. The piece of me that did not want to go felt that way because “ew, people”. Crowds of people do not bring me joy. However, the piece of me that did want to go felt that way because it would afford me time with a new friend and provide an opportunity to spend time with and stay the night at the home of very special people in Lynchburg. Another reason I agreed to go had to do with one of the speakers scheduled to be there.

A few years ago, a struggle began inside me. No label fits appropriately. Perhaps the closest to correct would be an identity crisis. A pile of counseling helped heal some deep hurts. Ultimately, the healing ushered in the need for restructuring. The changing of my “why” created a chain reaction that rendered me temporarily stuck. I felt like I woke up at the bottom of a deep crevasse and needed time and help to march out of there.  

I call that time of struggle a Holy time out. A particularly uncomfortable aspect of that time was my absolute inability to read words, listen to audio, or watch TV. All those things made me impossibly anxious, so everything went quiet. I could comfortably pray and listen. I did LOTS of that.

The release from my Holy time out happened as mysteriously as it began. Trying a podcast felt like a good idea. I literally went into the app and started searching. I decided to try one I found called That Sounds Fun. Fun felt like a reasonable place to start. I met Annie F. Downs that day.

On her podcast, Annie interviews all kinds of people. She converses with them about all the things going on in their lives. In some strange way, those conversations opened up my world. She in essence became the line leader leading my march out of the deep crevasse.

Annie introduced me to other believers influencing their own realms. I saw life from a bunch of different angles. I heard people sharing about what walking with the Lord looks like for them. All of these conversations happened with a relaxed conversation-with-a-friend vibe. Those conversations encouraged me, provoked thought, and pointed out just how unique every person is created to be. Those conversations gave me hope that God will also use me in my own realm.

I got excited when I realized that Annie was scheduled to speak at the conference. I knew I might have an opportunity to encourage someone who has encouraged me. Because I tend to be a cynic and figured there was no actual way I would meet her face to face, I decided to write a letter. I could then try to find someone at her merch table to give it to her. When I stopped by the table, a sweet lady told me she might show up any minute.  

That sweet lady spoke the truth. Within a couple minutes I saw Annie walking toward the spot where I was standing. I wish I had the presence of mind to check my pulse rate. As I realized my shy shelf would need to make words to say to the stranger who had encouraged me from a distance, my heart felt like it may gallop off without me. I managed to say some words and give her the letter I had written.

Now, you can argue with me if you want but don’t bother. I believe finding TSF was no accident. I also believe my timing at that table was no accident. The deeper truth here is God will use each of us to impact people we may never know about. In this instance, He let a moment of connection happen. He very likely orchestrated it Himself because He loves me.

In the meantime, unbeknownst to me, my friend I went to the conference with was taking pictures as it all went down. What a precious gift!

I do not know if Annie was encouraged by my letter. She may have forgotten it was in her pocket and sent it through the washer unread. Either way, I got the opportunity to encourage my encourager and floated out of that place on a tricked-out cloud of joy.

Who has encouraged you? She might not be a public figure like Annie F. Downs. She could be your neighbor, a co-worker, or that sweet lady at church. When was the last time you encouraged an encourager?