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A Word Fitly Spoken

A Strange and Wonderful Thing Happened on My Way Out of the Gym

Elizabeth Erlandson
2 min readNov 7, 2022
Photo by Gabin Vallet on Unsplash

I woke up earlier than usual today. After eating breakfast, perusing the news, and doing my devotions, I was an hour ahead of schedule, so I decided to go to an early class at the gym.

I usually go to the Young at Heart class for people who are not so young in the other parts.

Today I went to Body Sculpt, a head-to-toe, high-energy workout with cardio, weights, push-ups, and planks.

I had every intention of doing the workout, but I decided to skip the class and walk around the track at the last minute.

Then my friend Susan arrived. She greeted me warmly and expressed delight that I was joining the class. “Oh, no,” I said, “I’m leaving. I think it will be too hard for me.”

Susan seemed genuinely disappointed. “You can do this,” she assured me. “You don’t have to keep up with everybody else. Just do your best.”

And so I stayed, and for the next 45 minutes, I did what I could, and when class was over, I felt great. I thanked Susan for encouraging me to stay. Her simple, heartfelt words of encouragement made all the difference.

Who encourages you? Who do you encourage?

The right word at the right time is like precious gold set in silver. (Proverbs 25:11, CEV)

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Elizabeth Erlandson
Elizabeth Erlandson

Written by Elizabeth Erlandson

Totally sold out to Jesus Christ, in Whom I find ever-increasing joy. Wife to Doug. Mother of two. Urban gleaner. Retired candy store owner. Devotional writer.

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