Scripture: 1 Thessalonians 5:11    

 

Prior to his death, Dr. E.V. Hill preached the funeral for his wife, Jane, who died in 1987. At her funeral, Dr. Hill described some ways that she had made him a better man. As a struggling young preacher, Dr. Hill had trouble earning a living. He came home one night and found the house dark. When he opened the door, he saw his wife had prepared a candlelight dinner. He got excited and went into the bathroom to wash his hands. When he flipped the switch for the lights, nothing happened. He proceeded to the bedroom and flipped another switch, still to no avail. When he returned to the dining area, his wife was sitting at the table with tears in her eyes. She acknowledged that he was a hard worker and that he did the best he could to care for his family. Dr. Hill quoted his wife; "yes, the lights are out but we have food and it's a perfect time to have a candlelight dinner with a hard working man."

 

Failure and misfortunes are a part of every person's life. During these times, we all need people who will lift us up. It's called being an encourager. Jane Hill could have said a lot of things to Dr. Hill that night but she chose to say words and perform an act of encouragement.

 

Words of encouragement are seeds that produce greatness. Applauding the successful is one thing. Encouraging the struggling is another. Be an encourager.