The Encourager

Many times it is the small thoughts of kindness that give someone the biggest boost of perseverance.

Douglas Maurer, 15, of Creve Coeur, Missouri, had been feeling bad for several days. His temperature was ranging between 103 and 105 degrees, and he was suffering from severe flu-like symptoms. Finally, his mother took him to the hospital in St. Louis. Douglas Maurer was diagnosed with leukemia. The doctors told him in frank terms about his disease. They said that for the next three years, he would have to undergo chemotherapy. They did not sugarcoat the side effects. They told Douglas he would go bald and that his body would most likely bloat. Upon learning this, he went into a deep depression. His aunt called a floral shop to send Douglas an arrangement of flowers. She told the clerk that it was for her teenage nephew who had leukemia. When the flowers arrived at the hospital, they were beautiful. Douglas read the card from his aunt. Then he saw a second card. It said: “Douglas—I took your order. I work at Brix florist. I had leukemia when I was 7 years old. I'm 22 years old now. Good luck. My heart goes out to you. Sincerely, Laura Bradley.” His face lit up and he said, “Oh!” 

Douglas Maurer was in a hospital filled with millions of dollars of sophisticated medical equipment. He was being treated by expert doctors and nurses with medical training totaling more than a hundred years. But it was a salesclerk in a flower shop, a woman making $170 a week, who—by taking the time to care, and by being willing to go with what her heart told her to do—gave Douglas hope and the will to carry on. 

All it took was one short note of encouragement to give Douglas the will to keep fighting the cancer in his body. Many times one note or one “Keep up the good work” can help someone keep going. Notice our verses today. God was giving Moses some last commands before he was going to pass over the leadership of the Israelites to Joshua.

One of the commands God gave Moses was to encourage Joshua. Imagine being in Joshua’s shoes! He was now in command of millions of Israelites and it was up to him to lead them to conquer the land God had given them. These people were not willing followers but people with a record of murmuring, complaining, and rebelling. What a task!

As Joshua’s elder and mentor, Moses took time to encourage him in the task he faced. Even so, we can be a Moses today! There is someone around you, someone you know, who is facing a difficult task today. You may not always know what it is, but they can still use your encouragement.

Source: DITW, January 15, 2009