Two men, both seriously ill, occupied the same hospital room.
One man was allowed to sit up in his bed for an hour each afternoon to help drain the fluid from his lungs. His bed was next to the room’s only window. The other man had to spend all his time flat on his back.
The men talked for hours on end. They spoke of their wives and families, their homes, their jobs, and their involvement in the military service.
Every afternoon, when the man in the bed by the window could sit up, he would describe to his roommate all the things he could see outside the window. The man in the other bed began to live for those one hour periods where his world would be broadened and enlivened by all the activity and color of the world outside.
The window overlooked a park with a lovely lake. Ducks and swans played on the water while children sailed their model boats. Young lovers walked arm in arm amidst flowers of every color and a fine view of the city skyline could be seen in the distance. As the man by the window described all this in exquisite detail, the man on the other side of the room would close his eyes and imagine this picturesque scene.
Days, weeks and months passed.
One morning, the day nurse arrived to bring water for their baths only to find the man by the window had passed away. She was saddened and called the hospital attendants to take the body away.
As soon as it seemed appropriate, the other man asked if he could be moved next to the window. The nurse was happy to make the switch, and after making sure he was comfortable, she left him alone. Slowly, painfully, he propped himself up on one elbow to take his first look at the real world outside. He strained to slowly turn to look out the window beside the bed.
It faced a blank wall.
The man asked the nurse what could have compelled his deceased roommate who had described such wonderful things outside this window. The nurse responded that the man was blind and could not even see the wall.
She said,
“Perhaps he just wanted to encourage you.”
This story is called The Hospital Window, and its author is unknown. However, it’s not surprising that it continues to be told because it’s a vivid reminder of the power of encouragement.
Truett Cathy, the founder of Chick-fil-A was known for asking this rhetorical question: “How do you know someone needs encouragement?” He’d always answer with, “If they’re breathing!”
Everyone could use some encouragement.
Be an encourager—to your family, to your spouse, to your parents, to your clients, and to your team members. Find specific ways to build up the people around you and make it your mission to spur others on as they pursue their God-given purpose.
