Bitter or Better?

My nephew is in Germany having back surgery. The night before he and his wife left, I had emailed them a 2-sentence email telling them we wished them well and that we'd be praying for them. You never realize what a short word of encouragement to someone else can do. I received an email back thanking us and telling us how that encouraged them. Ev went on to say how we had been through so much and how because of that we were such an encouragement to others. I have pondered this for a few days and have come to the conclusion that all the things we go through in life can make us either "bitter or better". I know I have had to deal with the "bitter" many times, before I can show the "better" (and still do). But it is true, all the hardships in life can make you a more compassionate, better person if you allow it to. So often, I don't act upon the thoughts that cross my mind like I should call so-and-so when I know they are going through hardships. This certainly affirms to me that I should be doing more of it. So, it's kind of funny but when you encourage someone else, they in turn encourage you. Let's keep on encouraging one another!