Pocket of Encouragment #Nightlight #RTTBROS

RTTBROS

Pocket ofEncouragment #Nightlight #RTTBROS

"Found in His Pocket: Unexpected Encouragement"

"Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you." - Matthew 5:11-12 (KJV)

On that fateful evening of April 14, 1865, as President Abraham Lincoln settled into his seat at Ford's Theatre, he carried with him more than just the weight of a nation recently emerged from civil war. In the pocket of his coat was a small newspaper clipping—a review praising his leadership and character.

This simple paper treasure speaks volumes about the burden Lincoln bore. Throughout his presidency, perhaps no American leader had been more viciously attacked or cruelly caricatured. Political cartoons depicted him as an ape, a tyrant, and a bumbling fool. Newspapers openly called for his defeat, his disgrace, and sometimes even his death. The North criticized him for moving too slowly on emancipation, while the South reviled him as a destroyer of their way of life.

Yet amid this storm of criticism, Lincoln had carefully preserved this small token of encouragement. We can imagine how this positive voice among the chorus of critics must have fortified his spirit during dark hours when doubt threatened to overwhelm him.

What comfort this clipping must have provided—a reminder that not everyone viewed his work with scorn. How strengthening to know that someone recognized the wisdom and compassion that guided his difficult decisions. In a presidency marked by unbearable pressures, this small affirmation represented a light in the darkness.

The presence of this clipping in Lincoln's pocket reminds us of a profound truth: even the strongest among us need encouragement. Even those called to the highest service require reminders that their work matters.

In our own lives, we often face criticism and misunderstanding when we stand for what is right. Like Lincoln, we may find ourselves vilified for decisions made with the purest intentions. In those moments, we must treasure the affirmations God sends our way—whether through a kind word, an unexpected note, or the quiet assurance of Scripture.

Today, consider whose life you might touch with words of encouragement. Your affirming message might become someone's treasured keepsake—perhaps even carried close to their heart during their darkest hour.

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