Encouraging Words Devotional

In downtown San Antonio, Texas, a mother duck chose a second-story overhang outside a bank window as a place to lay her eggs—ten feet off the ground. Eventually the ducklings hatched.

A man at a metro station in Washington, DC began to play the violin. Since it was rush hour, thousands of people walked by.

Vangie had just lost her father. Her spiritual mentor, Joanie, met with her as she usually does to encourage Vangie. And near the end of their time together Joanie gently talked with her about moving on in the grief process. Joanie suggested she go slow, step by step and let the Lord carry her. After all, Isaiah the prophet quoted God's words, "I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you" (Isaiah 46:4).

Kathy Cawthon was battling cancer. After barely having energy to do the essentials for herself, one day, for the first time in many months, she felt physically strong enough to take on a few errands. She went to the post office to buy stamps.

Reach up for a moment and massage your neck and shoulder muscles. Feel any tension there? Most of us do. Tension seems to be a part of 21st century living.

When someone you love dies, you naturally grieve, because you care deeply for that person. You feel sadness that is so intense that you may wonder if life will ever again feel worth living.

Glenn Burris[i] tells that when he was seven years old, his dad bought him his first bicycle. It was a used bike, but Glenn didn't care. Glenn's dad was pastor of a small church, and both of his parents had to work to keep food on the table and the church doors open. Receiving the bike that he knew was given sacrificially is a meaningful memory that will always be with him.

[i] Glenn Burris, Jr., Foursquare Online Weekly Prayer Guide: February 2, 2009.

When a hijacked jetliner slammed into the Pentagon on 9-11, 2001, LTC Brian Birdwell was standing directly in its path. Because he had made a trip to the restroom, his life was miraculously spared. If he had been at his desk, he would have been killed instantly. Suddenly life was forever changed for Brian and his wife, Mel.

Sometimes God does big things for us and sometimes He does little things.

Dave was dying—no doubt about it. His wife and daughters had been with him for several hours, talking to him and telling him how much they loved him. But Dave was not responding. So, when a pastor came to visit, they left Dave in his care long enough to grab a quick bite of lunch. He appeared to be sleeping. But when the Pastor gently touched him, Dave moved slightly, then said to the pastor, "I've got the keys to my new house."  He died peacefully within the hour.