About the Author

A three-time tongue cancer survivor and mama of children from “hard places," Michele Cushatt is a (reluctant) expert on pain, trauma and the deep human need for connection. Her most recent book, "Relentless: The Unshakeable Presence of a God Who Never Leaves", wrestles with the dogged presence and affection of...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
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Comments

  1. Michele,
    Powerful and beautiful word: parakaleo.

    I read the article twice before forwarding it to those who have been my parakaleo.

    Thank you for using your gift of writing to encourage others.

  2. thankyou for the inspiring story emphasizing encouragement to others. Often times I find myself discouraged by worldly events, then I turn to Jesus and pray and then encourage my family in positive ways and everything is more positive

    • I feel the same, Karen. Some days world events and even the events in my own community leave me feeling overwhelmed. Thank heavens for good friends who know how to offer encouragement!

  3. Michelle,

    You are so right! Encouragement is incredibly extraordinary and powerful! Thank you for sharing. Because I believe it will help others I’ve shared your devotion x2!

    Sending you Joy,
    Lisa Wilt

    • It’s incredible that something so simple (and relatively easy!) carries such weight and influence! May our eyes and ears be open to the opportunities for encouragement all around us today.

  4. Wonderful, soul lifting words that comfort and encourage. Thanks so much, Michele! Will be forwarding your blog !

  5. Dear Michele…….I loved your story today. At first I thought it would not be for me, but I have discovered with the (in) community, do not stop reading as there is many more words until maybe we understand and I did just that today. I am 77 years old and it is going to be so humid and hot (106) that they are really saying we should not go out especially the senior people which is where I live in a facility of over 100 people. I am facing so many serious, complicated situations, paraklete is who I depend on so much. I love the name that you gave us. Here is where your story really brought some questions to my mind. Encouragement is something I have always done. I worked as a manager for 45 years and I learned from all my previous jobs how to manage most any problem; however, this facility, is mostly people in their 80’s, 90’s and 100’s so they look at me as the baby. When you have worked as many years as I have, you realize that at 40 years old, I did not know even half of what I eventually did. Many younger people we have found just think we are old and know nothing. I pray to Jesus frequently each day and read many of the (in) books that I have and have learned even more. What is discouraging to me is that many of the residents here do not want to hear encouraging words. I have always been able to cheer people up or tell them I will help them, but this place that I live in just fired all their managers and the number 1 rule is do NOT try to help anyone. This just does not agree with my philosophy. It is supposed to be Independent living, but they have left people live here as long as they have the money. The managers had no training and I tried nicely to help them. That did not go well, but they were too young and the top manager did not communicate at all, which is really the key here to success. Instead of us being encouraged, we have all been discouraged and now with no managers, we have no idea what to expect. So your story is so encouraging to me as I know that I needed to turn to Jesus for help and I cast these problems at His feet. I know that answers or solutions take a long time, but I feel so badly for the residents here. My Holy Spirit does so much to help me and interestingly enough, many people here are religious and believe, but they don’t seem to even know what the Holy Spirit is and I try to explain to them what He is. Many have dementia and forget what I have told them, so Michele, I want to thank you for your story and I will read it again today after lunch so I didn’t miss something the first time. One more thing, I have 4 super, serious, complicated situations that after 18 months have still not been solved and my husband has dementia (violent kind) and is living in a different place and my 1 son, 2 years ago called and told me he no longer considered me his mother and I could never see my 1 grandson or speak to him, ever again and he hung up. This has been a heartbreaking thing to me, and after 2 years, still no communication. I have no other family so no one to encourage me. My fiends have left me too as they don’t know what else to say to me to encourage me. I do not know why they feel they always have to talk about this. I would be happy to just have a “Normal” conversation and ask them how THEY are. As usual, I have gone on too long, so again, I thank you Michele for your devotion and I send you my prayers and love for how your community helps us. Please have Blessed Day~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Betsy Basile

    • Oh, Betsy. I am so sorry for your suffering. My heart aches with yours. Please know this: You have a community of friends here. You are always welcome at this table. We can’t take away your pain, but we can sit with you in it. Not alone.

      • Dear Michele…….Thank you so much for your kind reply to my long email. Sometimes I just need to vent, but I really appreciate you inviting me to your table. It means a lot to me and if I were younger and knew more about all the techy stuff, I would join your group for the podcasts, but I do not have any sites on Social Media as 4 years ago I was scammed for $30,000 that I did not get back. They closed my Instagram account for some reason and I do not even know how to get on one of those sites. My husband refused to allow me to get a computer or cell phone as he wanted to know what I was doing all the time. Thank you once again for your kind words back to me……………Betsy

  6. Michelle, thank you for an awesome devotion! I am helping to lead our church’s Women’s Retreat this Fall and our theme is “Bubbling Over With Jesus’ Love”. I will be sharing your thoughts of wisdom written here with our ladies. How better to share the love of Jesus than through encouragement? Praise God! ❤️

  7. I love how you’ve framed encouragement as a miracle and how simple it really is. Thanks for being an encouragement to me today as I’ve read your words.

  8. Thank you for the reminder to be encouraged. We can hear that word a lot but we don’t fully absorb it sometimes.

  9. Michele,

    My church encourages us all the time! We pray for each other & offer support. The best act they do is care for my MIL. Once a week they have a Bible study at her house-she is no longer able to attend church. We are always taking food to her. When we have a meal at church someone makes sure to get plates for miss Marvella. Her husband was an elder at the church. Talk about encouragement.

    You will often hear me say positive words to my co-workers, patients & their families. I want them to feel inspired, blessed & uplifted. My way of sharing God’s love to them all!

    Blessings 🙂

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