Principal's Ponderings

A Note of Encouragement 

When have you last truly inspired someone? Everyone has an opportunity every day to encourage or bless someone else. I am constantly reminded of the profound impact we have on each other through our words and actions. In our community, we strive to glorify Jesus and encourage one another in the faith. We embody the principles of love, encouragement and support that are central to our Christian faith. In my role at DCS I personally have the privilege of seeing daily the importance of encouraging one another and others, inspiring and building each other up. Our staff team do this every day!

The Bible teaches us in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, 'Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.' This verse beautifully encapsulates the essence of the mission of our DCS community. Encouragement is not just a kind word; it is giving hope and love that can uplift, motivate and strengthen individuals in ways that words cannot fully capture.

Recently, I witnessed a touching example of this principle in action. A group of people wrote letters of inspiration and words of encouragement to someone in their community. The impact of these letters was profound and far-reaching (I don’t even think the writers of the letters will ever fully know its impact!). Each note, card and letter served as a tangible reminder that the recipient was valued, loved and supported. The effect of these words of inspiration and encouragement cannot be measured, but it was clear that they brought immense joy and strength to the recipient.

This story reminded me of the words of the late Mother Teresa, who said, 'Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.' Imagine your words being truly endless! As a community, we have the power to create these echoes of kindness and encouragement in each other's lives. When we take the time to write a quick card, note or letter, we affirm the value of the person receiving it and demonstrate the 'village' that surrounds and supports them.

Christian leader Charles Spurgeon once remarked, 'A word of encouragement during a failure is worth more than an hour of praise after success.' This quote highlights the importance of timely and heartfelt encouragement. We never know what someone might be going through, and our words can provide the strength they need to persevere.

I encourage each of you to take a moment today and think about someone who might need a word of encouragement. Who can you write a card or note to today? It only takes a few minutes to write (2-5 minutes for a card or note, maybe more if you write a detailed letter), but the impact is long lasting. Imagine the ripple effect if every member of our DCS community took this simple but powerful action. Each person would be reminded that they are not alone, that there are people around them who care deeply and are cheering them on.

Let us live out the words from Hebrews 10:24-25, 'And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.' Let’s continue to be a community of love and encouragement. Our words have the power to build up, inspire and bring hope. 

Together, we can create an environment where everyone feels valued and supported. Thank you for your commitment to fostering such a beautiful and nurturing community.

Shalom 

Chad Smit | Principal