For Their Good
It was the day before the archery elk season opened in Montana's Little Belt Mountains. My friend Brad Griebenow and I had grown up together in Minnesota, and he was living with me in Montana (he's still there). We found the perfect valley. The bulls were bugling from all directions. We only had to wait one more day. Just before dark, two men walked into our valley, stood in the middle of an open grassy meadow, and began bugling in those bulls. We watched from the hillside in disbelief as the bulls stepped into the meadow, saw the men, and bolted out of the country. Just like that our opportunity was gone- our plans were ruined.
It's very true that our lives are impacted by the decisions of other people. Sometimes the impact is a simple annoyance, sometimes it's devastating. What kind of impact are you making on the world? Do you breathe life and love and encouragement and joy into those around you? Or is your influence more negative because you are wrapped up in yourself and unconcerned with the feelings and lives of others?
Friends make it your goal to be a person who BUILDS UP, not one who TEARS DOWN. It is every bit as easy to encourage as it is to criticize. Encouragement breathes life into a room while criticism drains the life out of a room. Let your impact on others be for their good, and you will be blessed! -Pastor Brad
Brad and Brad the day before the hunt.Written on October 1, 2026
Posted in Daily Devotions