“But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timotheus shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care for your state. For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s. But ye know the proof of him, that, as a son with the father, he hath served with me in the gospel.”

Philippians 2:19–22

In the late 1800s, a preacher in England went to visit a member of his congregation who had taken ill. The man worked the lowly job of a street sweeper. The preacher inquired as to whether anyone had visited the sick man, and was shocked to be told that William Gladstone, the Prime Minister of England, had just left the home. When he asked why Gladstone had visited a man without position or power, the sick man replied, “He always had a nice word for me when he passed my crossing, and when I was not there, he missed me. He asked the man who had taken my place where I was, and when he was told, he put it down on paper, so he called to see me.” He went on to tell his pastor that Gladstone had taken time to read the Bible and pray with him before leaving.

All of us have people in our lives who need a kind and comforting word from someone who cares. Too many times we fail to give it to them because we are not attentive and alert to what is happening around us. It is easy for us to be caught up in the busyness of our daily lives, without noticing those who are in need. Instead, we should take time to consider the needs of those around us, and offer the kind and caring words that can make all the difference to someone with a hurting heart.