Complimentary, my dear sisters

This week we discovered the power of loving those other female image-bearers of God, the other ezers walking around, mingling with us, working and worshipping with us.

I've felt a little blue this week at times, mostly because it is February (blech) and because I have a whole lot of work to accomplish in the next few weeks and not a lot of breathing space. But I'm telling you, this sharing positive compliments thing works--not just when you receive a compliment, but when you give one.

It happened to me Friday morning when I got on my exercise bike at the YMCA and met a young woman named Christina. One thing led to another, and instead of reading the Family Circle in my hands, I enjoyed a conversation with my new friend. Finally, after sharing some life details--and faith details--I told her about our grand experiment and how we are supposed to go around literally complimenting people. She was a bit taken back when I told her I wanted to compliment her on her resolve to try to get in shape, and that this was her 4th workout in the last few weeks. I even got a chance to encourage her about God's love for her. I talked a bit about forgiveness. And all that was just intertwined with talk about kids and husbands, jobs and health, working out and losing weight.

No big deal. Except it was a big deal to me, because I'm usually quite lonely when I'm at the Y. It feels like I'm the odd woman out, with no friends to speak of, and it gets old. Go figure that it was our grand experiment that even prompted me to say hi to Christina in the first place. I tried to offer her a little compliment, and I was the one who walked away feeling blessed.

Funny--and amazing--how setting our minds on Christ and encouraging others does our hearts a world of good. And how about you? What's your story on this week's assignment?

Phillippians 4:8-9, The Message

Summing it all up, friends, I'd say you'll do best by filling your minds and meditating on things true, noble, reputable, authentic, compelling, gracious—the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse. Put into practice what you learned from me, what you heard and saw and realized. Do that, and God, who makes everything work together, will work you into his most excellent harmonies.