...for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. (Matthew 12:34)

Author J. Allan Peterson tells about a flight he took on a 747 out of Brazil. He was awakened from a sleep by a strong voice announcing, “We have a very serious emergency.” Three engines had quit because of fuel contamination and the fourth was expected to go at any second. The plane began to drop and turn in the night, preparing for an emergency landing.

At first the situation seemed unreal to Peterson, but when the steward barked, “Prepare for impact,” he found himself–and everyone around him, praying. As he buried his head in his lap and pulled up his knees, he said, “Oh, God, thank You. Thank You for the incredible privilege of knowing You. Life had been wonderful.” As the plane approached the ground, his last cry was, “Oh, God, my wife! My children!”

Peterson survived. As he wandered about the airport in a daze, aching all over, he found he couldn’t speak, but his mind was racing. What were my last words? What was the bottom line? As he remembered, he had his answer: relationships! Reunited with his wife and sons, he found that all he could say to them over and over was, “I appreciate you! I appreciate you!”

We each need to listen to what we are saying. Have you told those who matter to you how you really feel. Do it before it is too late. There may not be another chance.

Holy Creator, show us our own hearts that we might know those who matter most to us in this life. Give us the words to show them how much love we really have to give them!