Blogs, books, sermons, and music have all acted as influences in my life.

I have found answers in sermons that no one will ever know about. I have found so much connection in a single blog post and a book that it brings relief that someone can relate so well to me. Even music can speak to my soul and brings a voice and sound to the indescribable. 

Yet, in all of this, I realize that I rarely take the time to tell the artist how much they helped me. I often neglect to tell them how their work has brought me to tears or has brought encouragement to my life.

Sometimes this makes me uncomfortable because as a writer and a blogger, I know how it feels to be discouraged. I know the feeling of despair when trying to do something great, yet coming up short.

But sometimes it takes one to think, maybe the people I have been used to help the most are those that are silent.

Sometimes life, embarrassment or a seemingly lack of words hinder this communication. But my message to you, writers, is this- carry on.

Sometimes, your greatest work is being done and you don’t even know it.

Maybe you have brought understanding, joy, relief, or a simple thought to someone and you don’t even know it.

On the other hand, we are often consumers as well. Let this be a challenge to us (me included) to not simply be silent but to encourage one another. Sometimes, it takes one person to make a laborer feel that what they are doing is worth it.

Because in the end, even the encouragers need encouragement and even the helpers need help.

What will you do?

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Heavily Edited and Republished from July 7, 2014.