Sunshine and rain help my garden to grow. We have had sunny days and some rain, but I have been watering the new plants. They need tending.
Friendships also need tending. Kindness and words of encouragement are a blessing in a relationship.
I have been thinking about a book my daughter gave me. Theo of Golden by Allen Levi is a novel centered on listening skills and words of encouragement. In the novel, an elderly gentleman has relocated to the town of Golden. In a unique way he manages to meet local people, one at a time.
Theo gives a gift, asks a few questions and listens well as they tell their story. He offers words of encouragement. Those words have an impact on their life.
Words of encouragement are like sunshine. We can be blessed and helped by the friendships we have, but our most important relationship is with God. God has given us the gift of Jesus. He has paid for our sins and provides guidance for our life.
Cast your burden on the LORD,
and he will sustain you;
he will never permit
the righteous to be moved.
Psalm 55:22
Linking this post with the Five Minute Friday writing community. Kate’s prompt is: SUSTAIN
I love that you used the prompt to talk about the importance of tending to the important things in our lives.
Theo of Golden sounds like a nice relaxing read.
My daughter said it is her favorite book. I am enjoying it.
True. Thanks! ❤️ G
It is amazing how a word of encouragement can lift the soul and sustain us through the hardest days. Blessings!
Thank you! Have a blessed weekend.
Such important thoughts for us today Carol! I have that book on request at the library and look forward to reading it. It is so easy when we are scared to be less kind. All we can do is pray daily to exhibit the Fruit of the Spirit in all our relationships. What is hard right now for me is that so many people professing the Christian faith speak in ways that harm others. We can only learn from that and resolve that when people see us Christians they see kindness and love towards others. The failure for us to do that turns people away from the faith as they see only hypocrisy. Nancy
Yes, we need to show kindness. I appreciated the questions Theo asked, and his listening attitude. Everyone has a story. I am glad you can get the book from the library.