Words unspoken

Luke 23:50-54 (The Message)

50-54There was a man by the name of Joseph, a member of the Jewish High Council, a man of good heart and good character. He had not gone along with the plans and actions of the council. His hometown was the Jewish village of Arimathea. He lived in alert expectation of the kingdom of God. He went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.

There is a tragedy in the story of Joseph of Arimathea. He did not agree with the decision of the council of which he was a member but there is no mention that he raised his voice in support of Jesus during the trial. Joseph waited until He was dead to honor Him with a tomb. William Barclay wrote it is one of the tragedies of life that we place flowers on people’s graves the flowers we might have given them when they were alive. We pay tributes at memorial services and give praise and thanks that we should have given when they lived. Often, we are haunted because we never spoke.

Lord help me, that from this day forth, I will acknowledge to my family and friends the true measure of their worth and may I never feel haunted by words unspoken.