IN HIS LITTLE book Fully Human, Fully Alive, author John Powell relates an experience which happened to a friend while he was vacationing in the Bahamas…

The friend was sightseeing when he noticed a crowd gathered toward the end of a pier.  He walked down to investigate the commotion.  Powell says:

“…he discovered that the object of all the attention was a young man making the last making the last-minute preparations for a solo journey around the world in a homemade boat.  Without exception everyone on the pier was pessimistic.  All were actively volunteering to tell the ambitious sailor all the things that could possibly
go wrong.  “The sun will BROIL you!”  “You won’t have enough food.”  “That boat of yours won’t withstand the waves in a storm.”  “You’ll never make it.”

When my friend heard all these discouraging warnings to the adverturous young man, he felt an irresistible desire to offer some optimism and encouraragement.  As the little craft began drifting away from the pier towards the horizon, my friend went to the end of the pier, waving both arms wildly like semaphores spelling confidence.  He kept shouting: “BON VOYAGE!  You’re really something!  We’re with you!  We’re
proud of you!”

THOUGHT: How much could be accomplished if there were more brave souls on the end of the pier smiling and affirming?  (Charles Swindoll)

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”  Hebrews 3:13 ESV

–Mike Benson