Words Aptly Spoken

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. – Proverbs 25:11 (NIV)

What are good words you have told someone else? Who has cheered you up with an encouraging word? While I am not sure what an apple of gold in a setting of silver is, I know it is precious; what about a kind word is precious?

There is a story about George Washington when he took command of the Continental Army at Cambridge. Upon his arrival he looked over a group of soldiers that looked to have no hope at all to most who would have seen them.
Some had uniforms and some did not. Some had guns and others only had sticks or not even that.
Apparently the regiment from Connecticut looked particularly bad. They were just a few poorly armed and poorly dressed men who did not even stand at attention.
Most of that regiment’s soldiers appeared to be discouraged. Many were hungry and had gone without a meal for days. They were a sorry lot.
As the regiment was drawn up for Washington to look at them, the general stood erect and, looking at them as if they were the finest regiment in the world, he said, “Gentlemen, I have great confidence in the men of Connecticut.”
One of the soldiers wrote home to his family and said, “When I heard Washington say that, I clasped my musket to my breast and said to myself, ‘Let them come on.’”

When Jesus was following Jairus to heal the latter’s little daughter word arrived that the little girl had died. “Don’t trouble the master any further,” someone told Jairus. Then Jesus grabbed the stricken father’s shoulders and looked him in the eyes, “Have no fear, only believe!” What hope, what joy! There are plenty who need to hear good words, and let us thank God that we can share them.

With hope and joy,
Garrett