Post by Brother Ben on Jan 18, 2011 14:23:02 GMT -5
[As] cold waters to a thirsty soul, so [is] good news from a far country. Proverbs 25:25
There are many things that people value, a car, a house, a good job. These things are not bad, but they can fade away. But, I would like to encourage you today to give a gift away that you might underestimate it's value. . . an encouraging word.
We can never know what people are going through. Even if they have a smile on their face, beneath they may be crying for someone to show that they care.
The Psalmist likened this good news to cold water for a thirsty soul. In this barren and oft spiritually desert land we live in, nothing can compare to a timely word of encouragement. This word does not need to be lengthy or complicated. Email is nice, but the best is either a phone call, or a note. If you are going to mail (U.S. Mail,) a note, it doesn't have to be the nicest card that Hallmark has to sell, (though a nice card is considerate,) no, just a note on a piece of lined school paper will do the job.
I heard a brother speaking on this topic one day and he said, "Don't just bless them with your good intentions." In other words, don't just think, "You know, I should send them an encouraging word." That's nice, but what is really needed is love with shoes on.
The Bible tells us:
"...because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. " Matthew 24:13
and
"This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men shall be lovers of their own selves..."
"Having a form of godliness..." 2 Timothy 3:1,2,5
Even Paul remembered the times when there seemed to be very few who cared or shared his vision:
"Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me..." Phillipians 4:15
When we go the extra mile, make the call, write AND MAIL the note, we are making a connection that has the potential to give someone a boost that they very well may have needed. I mean, really, can you send an encouraging word to the wrong person?
When I was in Bible College, I went full-time, worked almost full-time, (32 hours,) was always busy with note books, tests, church and all it's obligations, not to mention the responsibility of raising a small family, (at that time, just Darlene, little Benji, and me.) At times, it was hard because I also struggled with my arthritis. I remember Darlene, (sweety that she is,) giving me the following poem:
Don't Quit
"When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is odd with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow,
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit."
"When things go wrong as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all up hill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest if you must, but don't you quit.
Life is odd with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow,
Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far;
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit."
I never forgot it, and it still one of my favorites. When I graduated, they gave the wives, (to those who had one,) an honorary degree called a PHT. Not a PHD, but a pht, which meant, pushing him through. In actuality, Darlene's would have been a Pulling him through because she was always there with an encouraging word.
So, who can you write to or call. . . TODAY? DO IT. You won't regret, and they'll not forget it!
Bro. Ben
