094 – JUNE 2011
THINK ABOUT IT
The thought sequence is like a journey.
Ernestine met Armand. They got married and had 3 kids. I was the always-in-trouble middle child. I met Pat. We got married and helped God to make 2 kids. On Saturday, we visited my son’s family in Boston. On the way down, we listened to the “60’s” channel on Pat’s satellite radio. We heard a song that had a couple of mandolin parts. The mandolin reminded me of my Dad. I remembered that he was a great musician and could play mandolin, violin, guitar, banjo, and piano. Then I began to wonder if I ever told him how talented he was and, now, I am writing this Think About It.
Romans 14:19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another
I think that we often forget to tell people how wonderful they are. Too often, we neglect to say a word of encouragement or we underestimate the importance of a deeply felt “thank you”.
Knowing how heartening it is when someone says something nice to us, it seems as though it would be more natural to pause and to thank someone. Or to tell them that you love them and that you are glad they are your friend. Or to tell them that you noticed how great or talented they are.
I don’t know if I ever told my Dad how great a musician he was. I think I might have. I hope that I did.
Maybe you could use this thought to write a note to someone who needs to hear from you. As an extension of Himself, God could use you with some words of kindness for someone who is “down”, words of comfort for someone who may need a “lift”, or words of assurance when someone may want to quit.
Ephesians 4:29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
E-mail and Facebook is okay but does not compare with a telephone call or hand written note. So, grab a pen (it’s that thing that is long and narrow and makes marks when you move it on paper) and write a great note of love, encouragement, and thank you. You could start out with a “Have I ever told you that … !” A parent, a friend, a kid, a mentor, or (imagine this one!) a spouse. Someone is out there that needs a boost .
Think about it - all this from a thought sequence. I would not have had this thought without the sound of a mandolin! Or was it because Pat bought the car with the satellite radio? Or because my Dad married my Mom? Or when Pat’s Dad married her Mom?
Chris
P.S.Great mandolin in “Baby, Don’t Go”, Sonny & Cher
