At the funeral of a beloved friend, family and loved ones read warm and encouraging tributes. One question stayed with me: does the one who has died hear any of these kind words? God made us for belonging. When He saw that Adam needed a companion, He created Eve (Genesis 2:18). Every person needs to feel they belong in order to grow, succeed, and stay hopeful. Our spirits dampen when we are neglected, and many people carry quiet pain because those closest to them never noticed. Too often the praise and encouragement that could have sustained them arrives only at the graveside. Why must it be so?

God has surrounded us with wonderful people. Because they are always there, we take them for granted and neglect them when they need us most. Paul tells us, "Encourage one another and build each other up" (1 Thessalonians 5:11). As Christ's ambassadors, encouragement is part of how we show His love. Listen to the people near you. Support them. Thank them for the good they do. Today is a good day to tell someone you love them, to praise what is good in them, and to let them know you care, while they can still hear it.