"Be an Energizer"

Jordan and Tammie got me a great little book for Christmas called "Coffee Break Devotions". It's perfect for me because each devotion is 2 pages long which means I can read it while I'm scarfing down my breakfast before I get the kids ready in the mornings and then think on it all day long after that. So far, I've only read a couple of these but they are great! Today's topic was very appropriate for me as it's something I think about all the time, so I wanted to share. The title is "Be an Energizer" and let me share a little bit of it:

"People who talk to Alison Smithe feel good afterwards, even if they've asked a question to which she's had to say no. (skipping ahead)... She's effervescent - always smiling, full of life - and she speaks with enthusiasm. (skipping ahead)... The key to Alison's success isn't that she's cheerful by nature - though that is a positive quality. They key is that Alison is genuinely interested in people, whether it's someone's baby's diaper rash or that someone close to you has died. When people talk to her, she asks thoughtful questions. She's an energizer. People leave conversations with her feeling charged." (from Coffee Break Devotions)

"Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others." -Phillipians 2:4

I want to be like that! I wouldnt consider myself "cheerful by nature". I'm happy and content most of the time, but I'm not exactly cheerful. I'm not someone who always has a smile and brightens everyone's day just by being in the room, however I know a few people like that and I love being around them! I want to be more like that. I dont want to put on a big fake smile and pretend like I care about people by telling everyone how wonderful they are, but I want to truly be interested in people and be able to help people when they need help and cheer people on when they've accomplished something. As I said in my last post, I'm not good at conversing with people because I'm not good at asking questions. But the real problem is that I'm not really interested in the person. Perhaps I think I am, but if I can't even think to ask them caring questions, I obviously am not. For instance, this weekend, I was unable to attend a friend's surprise birthday party. On Sunday, I talked to her at church and the thought never even crossed my mind to tell her happy birthday! I remembered yesterday and now I feel awful! So, if you happen to read this, HAPPY BIRTHDAY SARA!!! My point is, I do stuff like this all the time. I'm so caught up in my own life and the busy-ness of it all that I forget to think about other people. I think about things too late or not at all and I know I've hurt people in the process. So to anyone I've offended or let down, please forgive me. This is a really important part of life that I'm working on right now and I hope that one day I'll be an "energizer". :)

"It doesn't take super-human energy to be an energizer - just some true interest and compassion." (from Coffee Break Devotions)