Word of Encouragement

Have you ever received a note or email that just instantly stops you in your tracks?

If so, you’ll know why for the second time in a couple of weeks, I got a “Divine Audible” that basically said, “For this week’s Word of Encouragement, let’s go in a different direction.”

What’s the reason for this “Divine Audible?” Earlier this week, I received a CaringBridge email from my buddy, Mike Maddock. As I shared before, Mike’s wife Ruthie, the Norwegian Princess, is on a “medical journey” as she beats back cancer.

Mike is keeping everyone up to date through the CaringBridge website and his most recent post shared a quote from a dear friend and mentor, Dr. Danny Friedland, who sadly passed away last week after an epic battle with glioblastoma. According to Mike, Danny was always quick to serve and love others, even when he was suffering.

Mike shared a brief video that Dr. Friedland sent to his family and friends that was titled: When You Receive Life-Changing News, What Matters Most. Interestingly, the video was released almost one year ago to this day (November 13, 2020). Towards the end of the video, he utters these beautiful words:

“The biggest tribute you can pay to me is to live a loving life."

As I watched the video and heard those words, I was reminded of a phrase that I have shared in several of my presentations over the years: “Your life is just one phone call or word from the doctors away from being involuntarily rearranged.”

It happened to me when I received news of my sister Kate’s sudden passing, as well as when a doctor told me it would be a pretty good idea to open up my chest so that they could remove a (benign, fortunately) tumor. And over the past couple of months it has also happened to some dear friends who have gotten medical news that portends their own arduous medical journeys, and other friends who have had to say their final good byes to loved ones.

After reading his post, I sent Mike a note, and he gave me permission to share three things he learned from Danny:

1) Focus on the silver linings. Danny was relentlessly optimistic.
2) Be vulnerable. Our flaws connect us--not the pretty personas we show the world.
3) When all else fails, just love each other.

Mike is blessed with a wife who knows, in her own words, what her purpose is: "To Love. I think that God put me here to love."

Yesterday, I shared these thoughts with my dear friend Phyllis. She and her husband, Chris, travel the world meeting with leaders on behalf of a faith-based ministry. She noted that in a post Covid world, wherever they travel, there is one thing in common with everyone they meet--and that would be E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E. Everyone wants to be part of a community and they all need: MORE LOVE!

She then shared an interesting story about the words she wrote on the tombstone of a beloved family member when they were laid to rest: “Only by love is love awakened.” It’s her way of reminding herself that by her showing love to others, whether here in the U.S. or whatever country they are visiting, it awakens in them the fact that they are loved and can also love others.

Can you imagine just for a moment how much better our world would be if people (or more specifically, people like you and me) were a bit more like Danny, Ruthie and Phyllis?

Years ago, I asked a mentor for advice on how I should deal with a “difficult” person (a.k.a. a person who didn’t quite see the world the way I did). His sage advice was short and powerful: “Love them more.” When I started to respond with “But….” He smiled and said: “No buts! Just love them more!”

And if you are wondering, “What does love look like?” perhaps a reminder from Corinthians, and some verses which are frequently read at weddings, will help: "Love is patient, Love is kind, Love is not proud… It is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs.”

Looks like I have some work to do. How about you?

P.S If you are so inclined please keep Ruthie and Danny’s families in your prayers.