An elderly man lay in a hospital with his wife of fifty-five years sitting at his bedside. “Is that you, Ethel, at my side again?” he whispered.
“Yes, dear,” she answered.
He softly said to her, “Remember years ago when I was in the Veteran’s Hospital? You were with me then. You were with me when we lost everything in a fire. And Ethel, when we were poor—you were with me there, too.”
The man sighed and said, “I tell you, what Ethel… you’re bad luck.”
Had a conversation like that lately? Pick a day. Doesn’t matter which one. We can find something bad everyday…if we want to. We can find blessings and reasons for thanksgiving everyday, too. It’s easy to get lost in a cycle of pessimism that blinds us to other people’s need for encouragement.
William James said, “Possibly the deepest human need is the need to feel appreciated.” We yearn for affirmation. I’ve never met anybody who said, “I can live without encouragement.” It makes anybody better.
Read these Proverbs lately?
Proverbs 18:21 – “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
Proverbs 16:24 – “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.”
Proverbs 12:25 – “Anxiety in the heart of a man weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad.”
If it’s one thing our world needs its more people who make a daily effort to give affirmation, encouragement, and praise to other people. Hebrews 10:24 reminds us that we shouldn’t get up everyday and think about “ourselves” all day long. The writer urges us to “consider how to stir one another up to love and good works.” What a great verse!
As we move into this week, what might “consider” look like in our lives? Is there someone near you who needs to be “stirred up” to love and good works?
William James was right. And, so were the writers of Proverbs and Hebrews. Let’s “consider how” this week and see where God leads us. Amen!
Father, you are the greatest encourager. Fill our hearts with you grace so that we can be ambassadors of the same for other people. Open our eyes and ears to the needs of those around us that they may be “stirred up” to love and good works. Amen.
Randy Daugherty
You are right Randy. Here is some encouragement to keep the words flowing. You have a gift with writing.
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