Sunday, April 16, 2006

April 16

Final Words

Then Jesus led them to Bethany, and lifting up his hands to heaven, he blessed them. While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up to heaven.


Luke 24:50-51 (NLT)


My Cousin Bob has experienced some hard things in life, but perhaps one of the hardest came the day his 16-year old son died in a car accident. Bob said goodbye that morning not realizing it would be their final conversation. On the way to school, his son Billy lost control of his car on a rain-slicked road and plowed into an oncoming truck. He died instantly.

As Bob looks back on that sad day, he says there is one thing for which he is thankful. His last words to his youngest son that fateful morning—“I love you.”

Final words have special significance, and the lesson I’m learning is to end each conversation in a positive way, to share words of love and care, to leave a blessing.

You never know when your last word to someone will be … your final word.

Father, give me an eternal mindset and an understanding of the power and weight of my words, the value and worth of my blessing. May others be encouraged by what I say, and may You be pleased. Amen.