There are moments we miss just because it took us a split second longer to decide what to do with them. You received an unexpected gift and you didn't know what to say or do... when a simple "Thank you," could have sufficed. You saw your friend feeling really down and out but you were among your peers and felt too abashed to step out and give her a pat and say, "How are you? You okay?" You see a nice but unpopular peer competing with no one to cheer him in the crowd and you miss the opportunity to yell "You can do it" until it's too late and the whistle blows the start of the competition.
Moments like these usually glare in their importance if they are followed by a tragedy: an accident, a disappearance or a death. Sadly, regrets are regrets simply because they come after such moments.
Encouraging words. Have you been using them lately? Elihu saw his fellow suffer and, instead of encouraging words, saw fit to label himself as one with "perfect knowledge" who must defend God Himself and bring down the spirit of his friend. By sharp contrast, the apostles settled a stressful and divisive problem in a church but resolute and encouraging words.
What power encouraging words have! Isn't it about time you used them today?
Thank You for Your encouraging words today, Dear Lord! And thank You for the best gifts You can ever give me: Your presence, Mom and my wonderful husband, Peter, and kids, Phoebe and Phoenix!
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