It’s been a long time.

Sometimes, we don’t even know how long it’s been.

But, we can feel it.

We feel it before. It’s been so long since there’s been time for a nap, time to sleep in, time to go to bed early. The space to take long uninhibited deep breaths. I really should go visit them, it’s been way too long.

We feel it during. It’s been such a long time since I have done this tough of a workout. I really needed to clean out this closet a long time ago. I’ve been wanting to try this recipe for quite a while now.

We feel it after. It’s been so sweet having a long lunch conversation with an old friend. I haven’t laughed so hard in forever. Wow it feels great to have that project completed. My mind feels clearer after my scripture study and prayer time.

It’s the National Day of Encouragement today. It’s Been a Long Time since I have posted anything. I like to take on a special personal project each year for this day. I schedule times with people I know could use a friend. I write and mail a stack of cards. I try to fill the day with planned or random acts of kindness. I challenge myself to send as many words of goodness out into the world in a day.

This year I have struggled to find inspiration and purpose for the activities of Encouragement Day. I’m in this season where I feel like I have a flooded to do list, a rope around my chest prohibiting me from taking deep breaths, and in white rabbit fashion I always seem to be running out of time before I feel at peace with the project before me. I’m not living out my purpose and I’m not caring for the important people in my life the way I want to.

It’s frustrating. It makes me both sad and mad. In my stubbornness I’m still striving to make things better and bring breakthrough. A while back I sat down with my Bible. All I did was read the verses I consider to be my life verses over and over again.

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 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.” Hebrews 10:23-25.

I thought maybe it would help me recenter.

It was like I heard the Lord ask me, “what is it you want?”

My response, “I want to do the things I haven’t done in such a long time.”

Then I heard, “Would that be an encouragement to you?”

“YES! Yes, it would!”

Lastly I heard, “Then do it”

So my project for 2026 National Day of Encouragement has been doing the things I haven’t done in a long time. Testing it out to verify if it really did result in encouragement.

I made my husband a pie. I’ve tried to make some needed phone calls, and sent out some fun and loving text messages. I tried to think about the little things to add to certain interactions I knew would take place. I tipped extra when I went out to eat. I asked for time together with a couple people I haven’t seen in a while. I wrote cards. I listed to an old favorite playlist. I took on a couple of needed cleaning projects. I wrote a couple of cards to let others know how important they are to me. I made a meal I knew my husband wanted that is time consuming to make (he’s been the beneficiary of several acts of service.) I tried to sleep in, but my body wasn’t really having that one.

My schedule didn’t change. The responsibilities before me were not altered. In the midst of all the trying it felt like I had MORE disruptions and distractions and setbacks than usual.

I started with this, It’s been a long time since ___________________

I made a list and then tried to do some of the things on that list.

What about you? What is your answer to It’s been a long time since ___________________?

• Coffee or tea sipped slowly with a friend
• Nap
• A meandering stroll
• Tending to a nagging unfinished task
• Making a favorite meal or trying a new recipe
• Buying a just because I love you gift for someone
• Visiting a relative or friend
• A good laugh
• Marinating in Scripture
• An unhurried conversation
• An extra workout
• Donating time or money or talents to a cause close to you
• Listening to the Lord
• Dancing to your favorite tunes
• Stop and Pray for someone going through a tough time
• Going for a Swim
• Texting old friends pictures of your favorite times together

It will be impossible to do all these things today.

But it’s very realistic to pick one for today, and maybe one or two more that you can squeeze in this week.

Give it a go. And I hope it offers you a splash of sweet and refreshing encouragement.

PRAYER

Beloved Lord, thank You for being the God of purpose, of perseverance, of resilience, and of encouragement. You are the source of abundant life, fuel, strength, and provision. Thank You for being endless and always having MORE for us to draw from, even if it’s been a really long time.

Lord, I ask that You would bless, renew, restore, encourage, and uplift each person who reads these words. Lord, give them good things of all kinds. A bountiful feast for their strengthening and for their delight. Lord, may there be breakthroughs of many kinds. Help us to keep communicating with You and to see the many benefits from that communion.

Lord, may encouragement abound daily in our homes, families, work, service, and communities. In the encouraging and sustaining name of Jesus, amen.