Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. –Proverbs 25:25
In March 1860, William H. Russell, an American transportation pioneer, advertised in newspapers as follows: “Wanted: Young, skinny, wiry fellows not over 18. Must be expert riders willing to risk death daily. Orphans preferred.”
As one can assume from the above advertisement, working as a mail carrier for the United States Pony Express in the mid-1800s came with a fair share of danger. There was no guarantee of safety or even the guarantee of arrival at the designated post. However, for the one who dared risk his life, a reward awaited him. Not only was he paid a fair wage, he experienced the joy and anticipation of those receiving long awaited news from friends and family back East. In those days, communicating by mail over long distances contained risk — at least for the mail carrier!
In the present day of email, instant messaging, text messaging, and virtual conversations, communication is immediate, but there is another, real risk involved. The personal touch in communication is being lost. E-cards replace birthday cards, voicemail messages replace live conversation, abbreviations replace words, and our souls are quietly hungering for intimacy lost and a touch of humanity through person-to-person communication.
An old jingle gave this invitation: “Reach out and touch somebody’s hand, Make this world a better place if you can.” Today, go the extra mile, so to speak, and talk to someone face to face. It will do the other person’s soul — as well as your own — some needed good.
GOING DEEPER:
Identify one person you will contact today with a personal note or phone call.
FURTHER READING:
Proverbs 12:25; 16:24; Ecclesiastes 12:11