Despite his busy schedule during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln often
visited the hospitals to cheer the wounded. On one occasion he saw a
young fellow who was near death. "Is there anything I can do for you?"
asked the compassionate President. "Please write a letter to my mother,"
came the reply. Unrecognized by the soldier, President Lincoln sat down
and wrote as the youth told him what to say.
The
letter read, "my Dearest Mother, I was badly hurt while doing my duty,
and I won't recover. Don't sorrow too much for me. May God bless you and
Father. Kiss Mary and John for me." The young man was too weak to go
on, so Lincoln signed the letter for him and then added this postscript:
"Written for your son by Abraham Lincoln".
Asking
to see the note, the soldier was astonished to discover who had shown
him such kindness. "Are you really our President?" he asked. "Yes," was
the quiet answer. "Now, is there anything else I can do?" The lad feebly
replied, "Will you please hold my hand? I think it would help to see me
through to the end." President Lincoln granted his request, offering
warm words of encouragement until death stole in with the dawn.
There
are people all around us each day who need to be encouraged, need to be
inspired, and need a reason to smile. Someone once said; "Every time we
come in contact with another human being, we've an opportunity to show
kindness."
Kindness is the one language that
the deaf can hear, the blind can see, and the poor can understand. And
besides that - the Bible commands us to let our light shine so others
will see Jesus in us!
“You are the light of
the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a
lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to
all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others,
so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who
is in heaven." (Matthew 5:14-16)
The Apostle John writes in 1 John 1:1-4, “That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, concerning the Word of life — the life was manifested, and we have seen, and bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was with the Father and was manifested to us — that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that you also may have fellowship with us; and truly our fellowship is with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ. And these things we write to you that your joy may be full.” In an article written in 1948, A. W. Pink, an evangelist in England, wrote about what it means to truly experience the best that God has to offer, and to TRULY have fellowship with Him and with His Son, Jesus Christ. He wrote, “We mean for the Christian to have daily communion with God, to walk in the light of His countenance. It is for His Word to be sweet unto our taste, ligh...
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