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| Words are like apples of gold. |
Sarah Lynn Phillips tells us, "Our fourteen-year-old fidgeted in her chair. 'I can’t decide whether to go tonight.
Taylor can’t be there. I’ll be all alone.'
Taylor can’t be there. I’ll be all alone.'
A few months earlier, Elisabeth’s friend invited her to go to a neighboring church’s youth group.
Regular attendance quickly became part of her Wednesday routine.
Regular attendance quickly became part of her Wednesday routine.
'But I like to go. The Bible studies help me . . . and the youth leader’s wife talks to me.
'What’s her name?' I asked.
'I don’t know.' Elisabeth lowered her head, gave me a shy grin, and almost whispered, 'But she’s always nice to me.'
A kind word, a reaching hand, eyes that notice an unsure smile . . . these small intentions demonstrate the love of Jesus in a personal way.
They communicate care and pass along hope. They say, 'You’re significant. You matter to me and to God.'
They communicate care and pass along hope. They say, 'You’re significant. You matter to me and to God.'
Everyday, God guides us to the paths of those who need our encouragement.
We have the opportunity to make a difference—if we’re not too busy or intimidated or preoccupied with our own worries.
Let us look for ways to see beyond ourselves to color someone’s outlook a brighter shade, to instill confidence, to lend a hand . . . to be 'nice.'
We have the opportunity to make a difference—if we’re not too busy or intimidated or preoccupied with our own worries.
Let us look for ways to see beyond ourselves to color someone’s outlook a brighter shade, to instill confidence, to lend a hand . . . to be 'nice.'
Elisabeth studied hard for her science mid-term, finishing just in time for her dad to drop her off at the church—all alone.
That night, a small group prayer time united young hearts as one girl shared the pain of her parents’ divorce.
Another’s dad faced a serious operation due to cancer. And the youth leader’s wife promised to pray for Elisabeth’s grandma who had surgery the next day.
That night, a small group prayer time united young hearts as one girl shared the pain of her parents’ divorce.
Another’s dad faced a serious operation due to cancer. And the youth leader’s wife promised to pray for Elisabeth’s grandma who had surgery the next day.
When the opportunity to share’s the love of Christ presents itself to you, don’t let it pass.
Your actions may very well change someone’s life. Take the opportunity.
Your actions may very well change someone’s life. Take the opportunity.
Thank you, Lord, for this nameless young woman who has reached out to our daughter with ‘a word fitly spoken.’
Help me to make a difference in the lives of those you bring my way, just like her.
Help me to make a difference in the lives of those you bring my way, just like her.
"A word fitly spoken and in due season is like apples of gold in settings of silver."
Sarah Lynn Phillips, and her husband Barry, live in northeastern Pennsylvania and have been married for thirty years.
They have three daughters. Sarah is a freelance writer and the editor of The Women’s LINK, a seasonal newsletter for the women in her church and community.
She enjoys homemaking, reading, and quilting.
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