My father-in-law, R. L. Cooper, aka “Coopie” was the world’s greatest encourager! He made it a point to compliment or share a kind word with anyone he could. His comments were always sincere and he treated everyone he met with a great deal of love and respect.
Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13:2
Coopie and my mother-in-law Suess lived part-time at the Glorieta Conference Center in Glorieta, New Mexico. They owned one of the few private residences on campus a short walking distance from the dining hall where Coop was the official greeter. On any given day, you could find him walking around with a pot of hot coffee, filling coffee cups and chatting with all the guests. Everyone loved that man!
On the weekend of his 80th birthday, family and friends gathered outside Glorieta’s dining hall to honor Coop by unveiling an incredible life-sized bronze statue of him pouring coffee. He was honored simply because he made it a point to make everyone feel special. It was the first and only time I saw this humble servant beam with pride!
If you have a kind word or compliment to share with another, don’t hold back! I’m not suggesting that you get all gooey or say something phony to anyone. But if you think someone is wonderful, adorable or wearing a great scarf, tell them! Even if you don’t know them!
When we are sincerely positive, friendly and complimentary, people find us irresistibly attractive! Isn’t that the best way to draw others near? As Peter states in 1 Peter 3:3-4, a gentle and kind spirit is the unfading beauty we can all achieve. More importantly, it is the style of beauty that is of great worth in God’s eyes!
Coopie was irresistibly attractive to all who knew him. He loved big. He never held back. And there’s no doubt he entertained angels during his time on earth.
How about you?