The Greatest Compliment

JOYPEACE

======================== What is the greatest compliment that you have ever received? I don't have to think about that question. I know the answer instantly, without thought, without hesitation, without internal debate. Words that you speak and actions that you perform often live on long after you have left this earth. I speak each week to a congregation. I usually get compliments. I am on local television several times each week. I often get compliments out in public from those who watch the broadcast. Readers of MountainWings send in compliments. Compliments help. We are all human flesh. They help to keep you encouraged. Anyone who says differently isn't really being honest with themselves. There is the danger of excessive pride from excessive compliments but they do help keep you encouraged. The vast majority of compliments I forget. They brighten your spirit for an instant then fade. If you asked me a week later, most likely I would not remember them. There is one compliment that sticks. I will never forget it. I was driving my late brother Darrow's widow to an appointment. It has been over two years since his passing. That day was still the most traumatic day of my life. "Do you know what Darrow told me?" she asked as I drove. Of course I didn't know so I simply replied, "No." "One night as we were talking, Darrow said something about you," she continued. His words will always remain with me. I doubt if anything anyone else says will ever affect me with the depth of sincerity and meaning as his statement. Words that you speak and actions that you perform often live on long after you have left this earth. Darrow was extremely outgoing among the six brothers. He had a very wide circle of friends. He knew many men both personally and professionally. As I thought about it later, the gravity of Darrow's statement hit me even harder, especially for a man to say it. My brother Darrow said to his wife, "If I was a woman, Nathaniel is who I would want to marry." Even though he cannot hear me, or maybe he can, I would like to say, "Thank you my brother," for the greatest compliment that I have ever received. That compliment taught me a valuable lesson that I hope you will heed. If you have something nice to say to someone, say it. Say it now. Say it while both of you are on this earth. You never know what effect your kind words will have, and you may not get a chance to have your words spoken once you leave. We all need encouragement, all of us. Words that you speak and actions that you perform often live on long after you have left this earth. A MountainWings Original