When my editor sent me a reminder of my writing obligations, he added this line. "I'd be happy to hear from you."

"Happy to hear from you": What a wonderful comment to hear. It got me wondering how often I say it to others.

I thought of my personal contact list and the number of months, even years, since we've spoken. Oh, sure, there are the obligatory Christmas cards. I signed my name at the bottom of the page, breathed a sigh of relief, and mailed that pile of stuff out. I should have saved myself the stamps.

When do we really talk to the folks who matter? Or will we just talk about them some time in the future, on that day when we gather at their funerals and commiserate with each other and complain about how we never see each other, except at funerals and weddings?

When it is our turn, who will talk about us, telling one another what a great person we were, and how sad it was that we'd lost touch?

"Of course, we always exchanged Christmas cards," they'd exclaim.

When the heavenly hosts greet us, will they be saying the same thing? "Too bad we lost touch … although, you know, we always sent Christ-mas cards."

We have the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life today — a phone call, an email, a visit. That someone will be happy to hear from us.

Why, we might even reply to that Christ-mas card we got a while ago!

Philippians 4:10 – I was made very happy in the Lord that now you have revived your interest in my welfare after so long a time; you were indeed thinking of me, but you had no opportunity to show it. (AMPC)

Prayer: Lord, we pray that our friends and relatives will forgive us for neglecting them, but especially, Lord, we beg Your forgiveness for neglecting You. Motivate us to pay more attention to them and to You. Amen.

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About the author:

Brenda Wood <brenda.w@nextcom.ca>
Sandycove Acres, Innisfil, Ontario, Canada
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