2290) I’m a dog lover. I see them as a blessed gift God has given us. (As I’m sure many animal lovers can say.)

My dog, Cayce, is easily scared. I’m not sure why this is because he’s had no trauma in his life, but he is.

When Cayce’s scared, he’ll jump up at me and want me to draw him near me, and when I do, I whisper comforting words to him. Both of these calm him.

I think of this when I read 1 Thessalonians 5:11. Here, Paul tells us to encourage and build up one another. The Greek tells us specifically how. Encourage, parakaleo, means to draw near to us and build up is oikodomeó which means to edify or confirm.

We have the opportunity to draw distressed friends and acquaintances toward ourselves to bring them words that can edify and confirm they are not alone.

What this thought brings to mind is, if I draw someone toward myself, what kind of encouragement will someone sense from me?