Thanks Danny

Pondering for the day ... What encourages you?

Listening to the radio today I heard a reading from the memoirs of Danny Furlong entitled Flipside. Danny suffered a major stroke and lost the use of most of his body, he is unable to speak but has all of his mental faculties.

He described how when he returned home from hospital his wife had to perform every basic function for him. Despite being so thankfull for this, the emtion of it would turn him to tears. Not being able to deal with the emotions Danny simply blocked them out, and in doing so, offered no thanks or gratitude to his wife. Within a year their mariage had broken apart.

This caused me to pause and consider what dealings we have with people in our lives, where we fail to express our thanks or gratitude.

In 1 Timothy 6:18 the ageing apostle Paul is writing to his younger charge Timothy giving him advise as he lead the Church at Ephesus. He says about the rich, that they are "to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share". Here Paul is talking about material wealth and how it should not be hoarded but used to do good.

Reading this verse and hearing Danny's story made me think; How often are we geneorous with our tounge (as opposed to our posessions)? I certainly know that I am often not thankful for those around me. Listening to Danny's experience is a reminder of just how important this can be.