ENCOURAGER, OPTIMIST, OR PESSIMIST?

Both optimists and pessimists contribute to society. Proof? The optimist invents the
airplane and the pessimist invents the parachute. Maybe so, but I feel certain that most of us prefer to be friends with the optimist. Assuredly, we all prefer to be around those who encourage.

The Bible reminds us: See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Hebrews 3:12-13 (NIV). Good advice! Even seemingly small things mean a lot to the recipient.

Years ago, a young man, like thousands of others who worked in a large metropolitan city, rode the commuter train into his job. One day, at a point where the train was just beginning to gain speed, he glanced out the window and looked into the room of a nearby house. He saw an elderly woman lying in her bed as she peered out of the window. For several weeks, he observed her there—always in the same condition. He took the time to learn the woman’s name and her address and then sent her a get-well card. He signed it, “Just a young man who rides the train to work”. One week later, as he rode homeward, he noticed the bed was empty, but in the window, illuminated by a table lamp, hung a sign. It read, “Bless You”. This simple and touching story speaks volumes about being more encouraging—and taking the time to do it. I think I’ll try to do better, how about you?

In Christian love, Lloyd