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     Have you ever written an e-mail and then realized you mistakenly sent it to the wrong person, or while experiencing moments of anger, wrote harmful, harsh words suddenly sending them on? 

     You thought, if only I could press a key and stop it. 
Well, now you can. 

     I’ve heard of several companies that offer a feature that gives you a brief time after sending an e-mail, to stop it from leaving your computer. 

     Once on their way, e-mails are like spoken words that cannot be “unsaid.” 

     This “unsend” feature should remind us that it’s extremely important to guard what we say. 

     Proverbs 18:21 reminds us, “The tongue has the power of life and death.”  

     

     Our neighbours to the South have just ended a very devisive, political campaign involving two unlikely, “unliked” candidates. 

     Amid angry emotions, hateful words were exchanged, classic campaign talk, along with promises made they knew they can’t or won’t deliver — a ridiculous display of urgency to keep or to acquire power.  

     Many, feeling it was the most critical election in decades, the voting turn-out proved their concern. Unkind, and no doubt in some instances, false stories or gossip became front and centre keeping the various media busy. 

     

     Strange as it may seem, any type of exposure for the candidate is good. It’s been said, “When you’re a celebrity, any noise is good noise.” 

     

     Being ridiculed by the media seemed to help Donald Trump. With Mr. Trump now president-elect, we trust a more conciliatory chapter will unfold. 

     We await Trump’s strategies, aware he has been known to change his mind on important issues. Personal viewpoints aside, may a willingness to work together prevail. 

     Satan loves to divide and conquer, but his efforts fail when, with God’s help, we “make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.” (Ephesians 4:3). 

     I feel strongly, God is involved in the affairs of our world. 

     The human spirit fills with hope at the sound of an encouraging word. I’m anticipating hearing many in the future, as respect is shown between our two great countries. 

     “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” 

— Ephesians 4:29 

     So our on-going prayers must be that good people will make wise choices. Positions of importance will be filled with potential to re-shape the American legal and cultural landscape. Many of the laws they make can affect us as well. 

     Perhaps a wise prayer might be, that the original intent of the Constitution will be honoured. 

     How we long to see those in authority, realize their awesome responsibility they have before God, showing honesty of character and a willingness to stand for what is right. 

     Character is important — in government, the workplace, our homes and our neighbourhood.  

     Consider the following: 

     “A newly-hired administrative assistant announced a phone call to her manager. 
     The manager replied, 'Oh, please tell him I’ve left for the day.' 
     The assistant picked up the receiver, but then set it back down again. 
     She bit her lip and walked into the manager’s office. 'Mr. Jones, you don’t know me very well yet, but I would like to tell you something about me. If I’ll lie for you, then I’ll lie to you.'    
     After a brief pause the manager looked up with a slow smile and said, 'Put the call through.'"     

     

     How are we doing? 

     What kind of character traits are we showing to those we rub shoulders with every day?  

— beulah