Reflection/Why I’m Grateful:

This morning, I received several kind messages from people I’ve engaged with over the past week. One, in particular, touched me deeply. It reminded me that encouragement is powerful — not because it flatters, but because it affirms what’s true.

Yesterday, before my event, one of the workers at the venue asked me, “Do you encourage everybody?”

I told her, “I try to encourage everyone I meet, but not in a generic way.”

I don’t tell everyone they’re meant to be a pilot or a chef or a CEO — I encourage people according to what I genuinely feel in the moment. My goal isn’t to say something nice; it’s to speak something true.

That’s why the message I received today meant so much. It said:

“Orv, I can’t thank you enough for hosting last night. You are such an incredible man of God. I felt the Holy Spirit over the room last night. Your work goes so beyond networking and collaboration, and I see it all for the kingdom of God. 

 "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." — Ephesians 2:10

I pray God continues to use you for such a divine purpose in our city that needs so much restoration and repair.”

Reading that reminded me that even people known for encouraging others often need encouragement themselves. I’m grateful every time I receive that gift. Authentic encouragement doesn’t just build others, it restores the encourager too.

“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”— 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)