“Hey, Monica. How ya doing?”

Funny that this simple greeting, spoken several years ago, stands out so brightly in my mind. In fact, I remember the exact place I was standing when I heard it, and which direction Mrs. Harp was walking as she passed and said hello!

So what made it so memorable?

It wasn’t the words. It was the timing.

Unbeknownst to her, I had a heavy heart that evening, and her simple cheerful greeting said, “I appreciate you and am glad to see you.” It was Proverbs 12:25 in action: “Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.”

I’m sure you, too, can attest to times when a kind word lifted your heart, bringing hope and sunshine.

There are not always people around us to cheer or encourage. And even when there are, they do not always know when we need it. Yet, you and I have a repository of such words at our very fingertips.

How many times has the Lord used His Word to lighten my spirit! God’s promises provide hope and encouragement, perspective and joy.

When we have been thus equipped with God’s Word ourselves, we can give a cheerful word of encouragement and strength to others.

Is your heart stooping? Open God’s Word. It lightens the heavy heart.

Have God’s promises lightened your load? Use them to make another heart glad.