As a boy he worked long hours in a factory in Naples. He longed to be a singer, and when he was only ten years old, he had his first voice lesson. "You can't sing. You haven't any voice at all. Your voice sounds like the wind in the shutters," his teacher said.

The boy's mother, however, disagreed. She believed that he had a talent to sing. Though very poor, putting her arms around him, she said, "My boy, I am going to make every sacrifice to pay for your voice lessons."

Her confidence in him and constant encouragement paid off. That boy became one of the world's greatest singersâ€"Enrico Caruso!

We all need encouragement! We allâ€"including, and especially our childrenâ€"need someone to believe in us. For many of our children, this school year looks very different than the past and will bring challenges as many are learning virtually. Many parents will also feel the frustrations these challenges bring. Give yourself, and your children, grace. You are not alone and God will give us the strength to overcome the most difficult times. Let us encourage one another and keep moving forward one step at a time.

As the Bible also teaches, "Encourage one another daily."² Note that it says daily! So let's be sure to encourage someone todayâ€"and every day for the rest of our lives.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank You for all the people who, over the years, believed in and encouraged me to achieve something worthwhile with my life. Help me also to be an encourager to every person You bring into my lifeâ€"and especially to my loved ones. Thank You for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus's name, amen."

1. Hebrews 10:24-25 (NIV).
2. Hebrews 3:13 (NIV).

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