Encouraging Without Words.

It's a very special thing I get to do--being on Christian radio.  Sometimes I forget people are listening.  Hardly ever do I think about the impact I'm having.  Once in awhile when I'm at an event and see our audience face-to-face, the reality comes crashing into me.

My words are important.  

Suddenly I become hyper-aware of every sentence I udder.

Are my words good enough to help someone draw closer to Jesus?

Someone I just met shared with me something that will forever free me from that pressure.  It was the end of her first marriage.  Her husband took her to a busy restaurant and bluntly told her he didn't love her.  That he was divorcing her.  And with that, she stood up and walked out, broken-hearted.

Soon after she prayed for someone to encourage her and she stumbled on a Christian station on her radio.  It wasn't any deep, profound thoughts that pulled her back to grace.  It was laughter.  The female co-host on the morning show had a laugh that oozed joy and love.  And with every giggle, the healing began.

Are words important?  Yes.  But even more so, is the spirit in which we speak them.  If you are uttering profound Bible truth with no love--no grace--no tenderness, you're only telling half of the story.  Let Jesus shine through every noise that comes out of your mouth...even if it's just a laugh.

Terese Main is a morning co-host at Family Life, a network of nearly 70 Christian radio stations across New York and Pennsylvania (www.fln.org).  She also provides imaging voicework for stations in Florida, California, Minnesota, Virginia and Wisconsin (www.themainvoice.com). 

Must Be Present to Win.

Those words are pretty universal for things like contests and drawings.  More than once I've been the one drawing a name, only to have the person not be there--and we move on to the next winner.  This past week though, I was on the other side...more than once.

I had the joy of going to the Christian Music Broadcasters "Momentum" conference in Orlando, Florida.  The speakers and music were amazing, but so are the interactions with people.  It's the balancing that I have trouble with.

So, back to the drawings.  One of my dearest friends was having a rough afternoon on the second day of the conference.  I texted if she wanted company, she said yes, so off I went and the two of us had a good heart-to-heart.  The next drawing was for an iPad Mini.  My name was picked.  I wasn't there.  I didn't win.

The next day, I vowed not to be late, but I got to talking with some wise women about health issues.  Then I sped down to the business center to mail a box home.  The hallway is always a temptation with me--a volunteer I love and get to hug--a industry co-hort who I get to share a smile with.  The second I walk into the ballroom, I get the news--my name was just picked again; this time for a $250 restaurant gift card.  Again, I'm empty-handed, and craving Mexican food.

Who gets drawn twice and misses winning both time?  Well, me.
But still, I'm the luckiest girl in the room!

So back to the rules of the contest:  "Must Be Present to Win."  It's true--I wasn't in the room both times my name was called.  However I was present in a few different ways.  I was present for an ill friend who I hope I was able to encourage.  I was present for a volunteer who I hugged.

Where is God asking you to be present?  At home?  At church?  At work?  At His throne?  Am I bummed about not winning and iPad.  Yes.  Do I wish I could treat my family to a dinner out?  Sure.  Am I super embarrassed about being laughed at during a conference?  You betcha.  Am I thankful God used it in a way to show me the areas of my life I'm neglecting?  Definitely.

1 Peter 4:10
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received
to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.

Terese Main is a morning co-host at Family Life, a network of nearly 70 Christian radio stations across New York and Pennsylvania (www.fln.org).  She also provides imaging voicework for stations in Florida, California, Minnesota, Virginia and Wisconsin (www.themainvoice.com).  

Waffles.

The First Graders in my Sunday School class teach me so much; I sometimes wonder who the teacher is.  A few weeks back, a wee one was trembling in the hallway.  I hadn't noticed her when another teacher came in, "Is this little one in the hall yours?" 

There she was.  Long blonde curly locks.  Looking down at the ground.  I figured she needed a little courage to come to class.  "Can I take your hand?"  She reluctantly took it, but barely moved.  Thanks to the Holy Spirit, for in that moment, I stopped, kneeled down to her sweet face, "What's wrong, sweetie." 

"I had waffles," she replied. 

It turns out, she had syrup stuck on her face.  I don't know about you, but I HATE dried syrup on my face!  I quickly whisked her to get a wet paper towel, she wiped off her face and practically skipped to class. It was just what she needed.

By taking the time to ascertain her need, I was able to truly minister to her.  It made me wonder...

How many times have I THOUGHT I was ministering to someone when I was completely missing their need?

Take a moment.  And ask.  Get to know people's hearts before you try to do something to help them.  You might be surprised by the simple things God has for you to do for someone else.

Terese Main is a morning co-host at Family Life, a network of nearly 70 Christian radio stations across New York and Pennsylvania (www.fln.org).  She also provides imaging voicework for stations in Florida, California, Minnesota, Virginia and Wisconsin (www.themainvoice.com). 

Are you Available?

The forecast said Sunny and 80.  I knew it would be the perfect day for a picnic with my daughters.  I made a plan to be available for them.  We shopped the day before and I started packing the basket mid-morning.  In the midst of that, God brought a friend to my mind.

"Wanna have a picnic today," I texted her.  "Maybe later this week." was her reply.

She was having a bad day.  Flat tire, broken flip-flop, pre-schooler in tow.  It was a classic Monday.

I found out here little one really wanted to go to the park to play and offered to meet her there.  We arrived with plenty of food, and an extra pair of flip-flops.  Just what she needed, just when she needed it.  But only because I had been intentional to be available.

Normally I am too busy for God.  Too much work.  Too much ministry.  Too much house cleaning.  Too much time online.  Oh, and don't forget too much complaining about how much I have to do. This one day my ministry happened through strawberries, chicken salad, veggies and hummus.  Oh, and flip flops.

It was so neat to watch the result of God's plan unfold.  Who knows what He has planned for you today.  Make sure there's a spot on your "to-do" list that says "Be available."  Then, stand back and watch how you are used.

Terese Main is a morning co-host at Family Life, a network of nearly 70 Christian radio stations across New York and Pennsylvania (www.fln.org).  She also provides imaging voicework for stations in Florida, California, Minnesota, Virginia and Wisconsin (www.themainvoice.com).

The Fear of Flying.

Why don't you stand up for yourself?  I'm afraid.  How far can you push your talent?  I'm afraid.  When are you going to take the next step?  I'm afraid.

Talking with a colleague about a conversation they had with their boss, I realized fear was holding them back.  They had all sorts of great ideas, but were pretty convinced the boss wanted things to stay just as they were.  So the ideas, plans for the future, and potential greatness were all put on hold.  For the sake of status quo.  How very boring.

For you did not receive a spirit 

that makes you a slave again to fear.
Romans 8:15

Let me break it down for you.  Here are things it is NOT acceptable to be afraid of:
Failure.
Being fired.
Ruffling feathers.
Losing your status.

Instead, here are things you should really tremble over:
Just missing greatness.
Ignoring your own voice.
Falling short of God's plan for your life.
Opportunities you can't even begin to imagine.

We've all been gifted in different talents.  I marvel at how God blesses us all in such unique ways.  I grieve at how some talents are buried.  I rejoice in how others are doubled and tripled.

Your gifts.  Take them out for a spin.  Not for your glory, but for God's.  He gave them.  He deserves honor and He so delights when you enjoy what He's given you.  Recognize God's gifts in others.  And when they fly, not fall, let's all rejoice!

Terese Main is a morning co-host at Family Life, a network of nearly 70 Christian radio stations across New York and Pennsylvania (www.fln.org).  She also provides imaging voicework for stations in Florida, California, Minnesota, Virginia and Wisconsin (www.themainvoice.com).

Test Penguins.

There's a theory that before entering a body of water to fish, a flock of penguins will push one of their own into the water.  If a predator doesn't attack, the others safely enter. 

Radio stations are a lot like penguins.  We travel in packs, doing the same sort of things, following the same music charts and watching each other intently.  Only, instead of being pushed, some jump into the water on their own, deep into the pool of risk.

Risk can bring great rewards with some things.  If you are truly an innovator, there's great success in developing a great idea.  But truly successful stations don't take careless risks; they formulate their moves based upon past success and a prediction of the future.

If you're an adult-oriented station, chances are, the majority of your audience does not place great value on new music.  Instead, they prefer music they know, and like.  If you're watching the other "penguin" stations, you might be tempted to jump into the water.  Before you do, examine your motives.

 Are you diving in because
it's what's right for your audience,
or because you want to beat
the other penguins into the pool?

If you're not sure on new music, don't dive.  Be confident in your strategy, and observe.  There's nothing wrong with watching the "test penguins" in your market to see what works. And when a competitor gets swallowed up by a leopard seal, you might not even notice.  Because you, wise one, are intently focused on your listener, instead of what everyone else is doing.

Terese Main is a morning co-host at Family Life, a network of nearly 70 Christian radio stations across New York and Pennsylvania (www.fln.org).  She also provides imaging voicework for stations in Florida, California, Minnesota, Virginia and Wisconsin (www.themainvoice.com).

The Why Behind the Want.

Woman.  Wife.  Stay-at-home-mom.  Working woman.  Homeschooler.

What name tag are you wearing today?  Likely more than one.  Maybe even all of them.  I once rode in an elevator with Gloria Steinhem.  I wish I had the courage to ask her the "why" behind her grand feminist movement.  She helped persuade a generation of women into wanting it all.  I fear we would have ridden that tower a hundred times and still not gotten to the core.

What is the "why" behind the want?

Have you ever had a burning desire?  Something that you knew would complete you.  Where do those desires come from?  For Christians walking in the will of God, they come from the Holy spirit.  We're told:  Delight yourself also in the Lord; and he shall give you the desires of your heart.

But what about when you're not walking in God's will?  Suddenly we're craving more, faster and getting fuller.  But on what?  Where are the desires rooted?  Greed?  Competition?  Jealousy? 

Christian women who desire to work often feel guilty.  It's partly self-imposed.  And partly cultural.  In order to be a help-meet for our husbands, and to train our children, there's a misnomer that we need to stay home.  And for some women, that is the case.  But what if God is put us in the missions field of our workplace?  What if our desire to work comes from what God has planned for us there?

What is the "why" behind the want?

If you're in God's will; if you're in the Word, in prayer and obedient to your husband, there is no guilt or shame in work.  Sometimes it will be hard.  Many times that's the case in obedience.  If you know this is your calling, there is no reason to feel anything but joy.  You might check your motives often.  And that's ok.  May knowing you're walking the path God has chosen for you bring you peace to your home, and your heart.

Terese Main is a morning co-host at Family Life, a network of nearly 70 Christian radio stations across New York and Pennsylvania (www.fln.org).  She also provides imaging voicework for stations in Florida, California, Minnesota, Virginia and Wisconsin (www.themainvoice.com).