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There are moments when the name of an old friend suddenly comes to mind. We shrug it off, promise ourselves we’ll call later—and then life moves on. But what if that moment was not an accident? What if it was the Holy Spirit gently nudging us to pick up the phone? These nudges may seem small, but they can be sacred whispers from the Holy Spirit, inviting us to be instruments of love and grace.
Imagine this scenario. You suddenly, out of the blue, feel an inner nudge to call an old friend. You don’t immediately act on it. Not long afterwards, you receive a card in the mail telling you your friend had suddenly passed away. Your chance to call is gone. If you would have called when you felt the nudge, you could have spoken with your friend before their unexpected death. Has this ever happened to you? Have you ever had the thought to call someone and later regretted not calling? I think most of us can relate to this situation.
Most of us have experienced the sting of a missed opportunity. We had good intentions, we thought about reaching out, but we didn’t. And then it was too late. When that happens, it leaves a scar on our hearts. We whisper, “If only I had called.” Those words cut deeply because they cannot be undone.
The imagined scenario above serves as a warning. Life is fragile. None of us knows the day or the hour, for ourselves or for those we love. That means today is the only day guaranteed to us. If a name crosses our mind, maybe we should see it as God’s invitation to act now.
Jesus promised us the Spirit would guide us, and sometimes that guidance comes as a quiet thought we almost ignore. We may never know what that friend is going through. They could be sick, lonely, grieving—or they could be fine but would still love to hear from us. A phone call, even a short one, could be exactly what they need in that moment.
And it’s not only for them. Reaching out blesses us too. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, Paul wrote, “Encourage one another and build one another up.” A call is one of the simplest ways to do that. It costs nothing, but it can bring a priceless gift of comfort and hope.
The song below has always epitomized the value of friendship and how our kind words can raise someone up.
Still, we hesitate. We wonder, “What if they’re too busy? What if it feels awkward? What if too much time has passed?” Yet most of the time, people are not only willing to talk—they’re grateful. Think of it this way: if your name came into someone else’s mind, wouldn’t you want them to call? Even if the conversation feels brief or imperfect, the act of reaching out speaks volumes.
At the end of our lives, very few will say, “I wish I had spent more time staring at screens.” But many will say, “I wish I had called more people I loved.” Each call we make now is one less regret later.
The Christian life is, at its core, about love. We sometimes overcomplicate it, but love often shows itself in small, ordinary acts: a call, a note, a visit. These little choices matter. They bring God’s love into the world in a way that is personal and real.
So here is a gentle challenge: the next time someone’s name comes to mind, stop and pray for them. Then don’t put it off. Call them. Let the Spirit’s nudge move you. In fact, why don’t you call someone as soon as you finish reading this message? That one call could make a difference in ways you may never know. And even if it feels small, love is never wasted.
Don’t delay—love doesn’t wait.
Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of friendships in my life. Thank You also for the gentle promptings I receive from Your Holy Spirit. Help me to be faithful in following these nudges. Guide me today to those who need a call. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
AMDG
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Please take a moment to share your thoughts about today’s message below.
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