You Know that Eulogy that You're Going to Write...

...you need to tell them now.
Its so easy to demean people and tell them what they need to improve. It is very hard to let our pride down and tell people how much we value them. i was talking to my dad the other day knowing he needed some encouragement. my dad studied to be a pastor and has a masters degree. he worked in a barber shop and radio station for many years. he never had the opportunity to head a church. he was feeling very down. i told him that i love him and he means a lot to me. i reminded him of that great impact he has had in the lives of Pam, Holly, and myself (his children). All three of us follow Jesus and have done missions work. We have spread the Gospel and changed lives. These lives in turn will change other lives. i wanted to show my dad the ripple effect that he has had. i reminded him that there are some in ministry who neglect their children and they deny Christ. we were given a glimpse of grace through our relationship with our father. my dad once told me "you will always have a home here." my dad was very graceful when i got my first speeding ticket and helped me tear up a magazine i should not have bought. my dad has had a great impact on my life. i was also thinking about how my parents are getting older and they may be going to Heaven soon. now is the time to let them know how much i value them and not at their funeral.
i know i starve for complements and can live for two months on a good compliment like Mark Twain. i try to compliment my wife all the time. i want to convey to her how valuable and beautiful she is to me. i am her number one fan and that is my job. We should be number one fans of our spouses but we also need be fans of each other. Everyone struggles with insecurity and self esteem to some degree. Why don't we start addressing each others needs? if we can stop the cycle of constant criticism then we can start a new cycle of constant compliments. God help us to do so. You are love. Let us love like you.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." Ephesians 4:29 (Whole Chapter)