Encouragement

Coach Peacock’s team had just won a state championship. They were celebrating in the locker room, and Coach was hugging his players right and left.

As the congratulations continued, the coach noticed one player in particular sitting alone on a bench, watching him. Coach Peacock knew that the young man’s parents were divorced and that his dad was an alcoholic who never attended any of his son’s games. So, he walked over to the player and asked if he was OK. The young man responded, “Yes, Coach, but I was just wondering… could I have another hug?”

The experience was a milestone in Coach Peacock’s life, so much so that he began a campaign to be a “team of huggers.” He started with the coaching staff. Soon, the coaches began sharing hugs with their players, and Coach Peacock found that hugs were a tremendously effective form of encouragement.

There are many ways we can encourage others. Hebrews 10:24 says that we are to consider how to stimulate and encourage one another to good works. Why? Because Jesus, the Son of God, willingly took on all of our discouragement on the cross so that we might experience the embrace of God’s love.

Because of that truth, let’s consider all the ways that we might encourage our fellow coaches, teachers, players, family members and neighbors.