The Dash

     You are going to find as you read that the title has absolutely nothing to do with the rest of this piece. I was going to write something entirely different but it just wasn't coming together like I wanted and it was sounding too much like things other people have already said much better than I ever would. I was going to write about tombstones, more precisely the dates on them. Two numbers separated by a dash. If you want to see basically what it was going to be, look up The Dash. There is even a poem called The Dash.

     Here is what you get instead. Today, after almost 54 years on this planet, I have learned the importance of simple encouraging words given at the right moment. That might seem odd to those of you that know me. That's what I do best, encourage people. Today, I have learned the power of simply telling someone that they are thinking of you and praying for you. Simple words, words that I have said hundreds of times to people going through difficult times. Words, that if I am honest, I have wondered if they actually accomplished anything.

     Well, now that I find myself on the other side of those words I can say that they do. Reading and hearing the words of others, from the most eloquent to the simplest, is a cathartic experience. (Sorry, big word but I couldn't think of a better one.) Galatians 6:2 says, "bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." When several people add their strength to something, no one person has to do a lot of lifting, but the net result is a lot of strength. So that is what you are doing when you send those encouraging words. You are adding a small amount to a much larger whole. So encourage those that are suffering. It doesn't have to be grand and eloquent, simple and heartfelt is fine, in fact perfect.