"No Reply"

Written by R. E, Bailes

Check Your Drafts

In todays world of modern technology and the internet we often try to fit so many things into a day that we miss something along the way. I experienced this recently when I was in such a rush and I completed my emails, grab my things and rushed out the door. It was about ten hours later when I had returned home and a couple of hours later after cooking and cleaning up that I checked my emails agian. When I opened up my inbox I saw a message from someone that I had written that morning. As a matter of fact, it was the last email that I sent out.

Their email said, " I can only assume that you are not interested in joining us with our project since I didn't hear back from you. We were really hoping that you had been able to participate. I would have appreciated your reply even though you didn't want to join us."

The fact was that I actually did plan to join them for this event and had been looking forward to it! I had even typed up an email that morning telling them how much I was looking forward to this time! What had happened? When I went to my sent mailbox, it wasn't there. So I went to the drafts and there I saw my email and realized that it hadn't been delivered at all. When I checked with someone who knew more about these things I found out the reason it had gone into drafted emails. The draft saves our messages and holds them if we sign out or the computer shuts down and we hadn't ever actually gotten the message to the one that it was intended for. The person who would receive this message has no idea that we even typed a word and until we go back to the draft box and send it, they never will!

Well, I made contact and worked that one out and all was fine, but I thought about how many times I may have done that and never knew it. I thought I hit the send button but I got into a rush and missed this one small vital click of the mouse. I thought about how this could apply to the every day life of people and how that one small click that doesn't happen can make all the difference in the world to your spouse, your children, your friend or your coworker. It could even apply to the guy who fills your bags at the grocery store.

That one small click is the button called "appreciation". Every living being loves to be appreciated in some way and it doesn't hurt or cost us a thing to give it to them. I know that there have been plenty of times when I have planned to show my appreciation but I got too busy and forgot to open my mouth or pick up that card to show it. Appreciation is the oil that keeps our lives and our emotions running smoothly. We all love to receive some appreciation for the things we do but there are people who really and truly look for us to appreciate the things they do; great or small as they may seem!

Remember to look for something that you can appreciate in everyone you meet and your world will begin to become a better place to live. God is the source of appreciation because God is good. Only good can come out of appreciation when it is given. The key is that we give it!


2Thessalonians 2:16-17
16. Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,
17. Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

So where are all the acts of appreciation stored that we forgot to give to those who they were meant for? Thay are still there and waiting to be given; held in the memory of our heavenly Father. He will help you remember to live out the acts of appreciation if you start your day in communion with Him. As a matter of fact, starting your day in appreciation to God is a great way to get off to a start with a positive attitude that will keep everyone around you wondering,"What are they so wound up and happy about?"

I know it's not always easy to feel this way and that things in life can drag us down sometimes but it is always uplifting to give thanks and appreciation to God! Start your day this way and the rest will fall into place!


Psa 57:7-11
7. My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
8. Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
9. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.
10. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
11. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.