THE THREE MOST POWERFUL WORDS by pa s tor chuck swind oll
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There were so many things undone. We lmost always, the answer was the same. “How did your game go?” I’d hadn’t gone to get Junior Zephyrs cards ask. “Good,” he would reply. “How did you for this year yet. We hadn’t made our trek north to watch the dirt-track races at Erie, do?” ... “Good.” The response wasn’t a curt put-off, nor Colorado.... What we had done, though, was it a rote reaction. It was offered hon- was communicate through 10 short years. estly, and almost always with enthusiasm.... And we had ended every night we were It didn’t matter if the final score was 1-0 or together with the same words: “I love you.” Please let me say it 100-0. It didn’t matter if Three little words. one more time. “Gus, I he had knocked home Because they are often love you.” the winning run or if he had struck out every time hard to say, because we —Todd Phipers, The at bat. It didn’t matter if so easily forget, we need Denver Post the subject was sports, or to stay in practice. Three little words. school, or family or someBecause they are often hard to say, because thing else. we so easily forget, we need to stay in prac"How were things?” ... “Good.” He had so much perspective for a little tice. Todd would give everything he owns to boy.... Sports were like the rest of life. Tak- be able to say them to Gus tonight. ing part was what made it worthwhile.... Adapted from Charles R. Swindoll, “Week 3 Gus found happiness just in taking part. Weekend: Think It Over,” in The Finishing Touch: It wasn’t just sports. It was choir and stuBecoming God’s Masterpiece (Dallas: Word, 1994), dent council at school. It was violin lessons. 45. Copyright © 1994 by Charles R. Swindoll, Inc. All It was a birthday party at a friend’s house.... rights reserved. Used by permission. Every day was a new day, a time for a new experience. Life was good. But life ended for a positive and uncomplaining and involved little boy last Sunday in a fire in Silver Plume, Colorado.
