Apples of Gold

I had to share my daily devotional with you guys - it comes out of Women's Devotional Bible. I read this and almost highlighted the entire thing - it was so incredibly touching and really makes me think. I typed the whole thing out again and added pix from the net, so I hope you enjoy!

In the 1950s, Mary grew up knowing she was differently from other kids...and she hated it. Because she had a cleft palate, she had learned to steel herself against the jokes and stares of children who teased her about her misshapen lip, crooked nose and garbled speech. Mary was convinced that no one outside her family could ever love her...until she entered Mrs. Leonard's class. Mrs. Leonard had a warm smile, a round face and beautiful brown hair. All of the children liked Mrs. Leonard, but Mary grew to love her.

In those days, teachers administered a hearing test in the classroom. Unfortunately, Mary not only had a speech impediment due to her cleft palate, she was also partially deaf in one ear. Determined not to let the children have something else to tease her about, she thought of a way to cheat on the hearing test: She could pass the "whisper test" by covering her bad ear and turning her good ear toward her teacher. On the day of the dreaded hearing test, surely God put seven words in Mrs. Leonard's mouth that changed Mary's life forever. When it was time for Mary's "whisper test" she clearly heard the words:

"I wish you were my little girl."

Solomon called these kinds of words "apples of gold in settings of silver." They are words that can erase years of pain and sorrow. They are words filled with love and acceptance. They are words that are priceless to those who hear them.

If someone listened in on your conversations, would their lives be changed for the better or the worse? Would they hear you speaking about the character flaws of others as if they were physical defects or would they hear that you consider others as beautiful in God's eyes? Ask yourself if your words build up or tear down. Do your words push others away from you or draw others near? Most important, do they draw others to God?

It's never too late to dispense apples of gold in settings of silver. Seek someone who is downcast and whisper a word of encouragement. You never know who needs to hear the words,

"I wish you were my friend."