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Two people walk into a room...



There are two types of people who enter a room—
one who says, “Here I am,” and
one who says, “There you are.”

Which are you more attracted to?

     ~ TIM HANSEL, Holy Sweat


You know both types, right?

If you’re in the room with Kelly, you’ll immediately know which type she is.

  • You walk up and she greets you by name.
  • She introduces you to everybody else in the room.
  • She asks about something in particular going on in your life.

But she doesn’t complain about her broken shoulder or how she’s not able to drive herself yet or how difficult life must be scheduling around physical therapy.

Because she’s an encourager.

I have sent him [her] to you for this very purpose...
that [s]he may encourage your hearts.

Colossians 4:8

my_friend_kelly

And encouragers make you feel good while they deny themselves.

Because Kelly loves God and Kelly loves others,
I love Kelly.

Lord,
Thank you for the “Kelly’s” in our lives.
This is how you designed us to work. 
Help us all grow up to be encouragers.

* * *

When you enter a room today,
which type of person will you be?

More encouraging words from author Tim Hansel


18 comments:

Dianna said...

Oh my, Lisa. I so desire to be a Kelly type...and fall so short. But through God's grace I continue to seek out others that I might help and encourage.

Katie said...

I so often encourage others that I would often forget to share with others my heart. As I have learned to share my heart with others, I have found I do both. Sometimes I go into the room and share and other times I go into the room and encourage. Thanks for a great post Lisa!

Lisa notes... said...

Um, Dianna, I think not! You don’t fall short to me. You have been a HUGE encourager in my life for over a year now in many different ways. I thank God often for you.

Lisa notes... said...

Katie,
You make a great point. Sometimes sharing our OWN heart can encourage another person too. It’s good for all of us to know we’re not alone, so when we hear someone else has been through a similar situation—and survived and thrived!, we are encouraged by their story.

Monica Sharman said...

Lisa! I read that same thing in one of Anne Ortlund's books and was so convicted by it. Ever since then, I've asked God for the kind of external appearance that communicates "There you are!" And instead of hoping people would approach me, I look for those whom I can approach.

Thank God for the great examples around us.

Lisa notes... said...

Monica,
It sounds like such an easy thing to do too – just pay attention, listen, ask questions. Until “we” get in the way… But I thank God, too, for all the great examples I have around me who know how to do this well. I have another friend—Kathy—who is great at giving the “There you are!” attention. She inspires me.

tinuviel said...

Great reminder, and what a lovely way to honor your friend!

Your blog comments are full of encouragement. In your online presence, you are decidedly a "there YOU are" sort of person. I'm thankful to have met you here.

messy marriage said...

Love this! :)

Trisha said...

Good words, Lisa! I often wonder what I'd do without the Encouragers in my life. How I treasure them!

Barbara H. said...

One of my close friends is like that. I need so much to be more like her! Sometimes I'm not so much thinking "Here I am," (though I confess all too often I do), but often in a gathering of people I just want to sit over in a corner undisturbed and fail to reach out to others.

And I agree with tinuviel -- you're one of the most encouraging commenters I know!

Jennifer said...

Thanks Lisa, for visiting my blog! Wow, I think everyone needs a "Kelly" in their life! :)

Unknown said...

A beautiful example of an encourager. :)

Melissa said...

So true! One of the points I've learned in a class I'm taking is that everyone has a story--and often, the most effective way to start a conversation (and encourage others) is to ask about their stories.

How often do we just wait for a chance to tell our own stories?!

Anonymous said...

Ouch! In real life I am that woman with a broken shoulder who tends to me too "me" centered. I needed to read this today. Sigh. I'm still in need of work.

Courtney said...

What a great illustration of two types of people! And a good reminder of the type of person I want to be. Got to work on it!

Nikole Hahn said...

I'm training myself to be the "There you are."

Bonnie Gray said...

I'm "there you are!". I love walking into a room and looking for familiar faces. Even when I'm out and about running errands, I'm always on the look out for someone I know. I have a "Kelly" in my life too - and aren't we blessed God sprinkles them in our community? Thanks for sharing Tim Hansel's quote.. Luv it! and the Colossians one.. Those two are going in my folder of quotes! Thank you, Lisa!

Michelle DeRusha said...

I absolutely know what I am...and it's not good! Thank God for the Kellys -- they are such incredible gifts from God. I always think of Deidra Riggs when I read a post like this (do you know her? She blogs at Jumping Tandem). She has been an incredible encouragement to me on this writing and faith journey.

I may have to write about her -- thanks for inspiring me with this great idea (and to try to be more of a "there you are!" person myself!).

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