By Daphne Savage, St Mark's Church, Utley

TWO men, both seriously ill, shared the same hospital room.

Every afternoon one of the men was allowed to sit up and so be able to look out of the window, the only one in the room.

His friend still lay flat on his back, closing his eyes and imagining as the view outside was described – a lake with ducks and swans, and children playing with their boats.

Days and weeks passed. The man in that other bed lived for those one-hour periods when his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and colour of the world outside.

One morning the man by the window died in his sleep. When appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. When he got to the window, he propped himself up to take his first look at the real world outside. Much to his surprise, the window faced a blank wall. What ever could have compelled his friend to describe such beautiful views outside his window? he asked the nurse. The nurse responded, “your friend was blind and could not see even the wall. Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you”.

In 1 Thessalonians chapter 5, verse 11, Paul the apostle wrote these words: “Encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing." Before becoming a Christian, Paul’s words and actions terrorised the followers of Jesus (see Acts 9). But having decided to give his life to Jesus on the Damascus road, he now had Jesus in his life, and was enabled to be a great encourager of others.

Paul found that entrusting himself to Jesus who loved him enough to die for him and forgive him, empowered him (and us) to forgive and encourage one another and build each other up.

So let us be sensitive to others’ need for encouragement, and offer supportive words or actions.