Decades ago, I was asked to teach one Sunday at a singles’ Sunday School class at a large church. The regular teacher gave me this counsel: “Bob, they’re singles, most of them divorced, they’ve had a lot of pain in their lives. You don’t need to pile on.” Then he quoted Job:
I have heard many things like these; you are miserable comforters, all of you! Will your long-winded speeches never end? What ails you that you keep on arguing? I also could speak like you, if you were in my place; I could make fine speeches against you and shake my head at you. But my mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief. (Job 16.2 – 5, NKJV)
“My mouth would encourage you; comfort from my lips would bring you relief.” It was a good word then…and now. I tried to keep it in mind when talking with a friend the other day. Stay tuned.
But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. (Hebrews 3.13, NIV)
Preach it!! I hope to disciple a young gal who has three children by three different husbands. She no longer has custody of her oldest child. She ended up at our church because she was always put it on the spot at the other churches she visited. “Where is your husband?” And questions like that! She has stayed at our church because she heard truth, but it was always in the context of grace and forgiveness and acceptance!
Thanks, Laura. A good word.