Have you had such a deep emotional sorrow that you wondered how you could endure? Have you longed for the gift of encouragement? While experiencing such desolation recently, I turned not only to God for strength, but also began reading and listening to countless Christian audio books. Over the years I have reached out to authors when I have been impressed by their books. Such happened recently when I contacted Colleen Swindoll Thompson. Her gift of support and encouragement was unlike any I have received. She replied not only with one note of Christian love and comfort, but two. I have received unsolicited criticism about my sorrow from persons I knew. Yet here was a woman whom had never met me but provided a tremendous “gift.” Hers was one of not only acknowledging my grief, but inspiring me that in God’s time, my pain would be healed. Have you given such a gift to someone whom is suffering? I Thess. 5:18 “In everything give thanks…”