This past July former President Clinton gave a compliment to President Bush concerning the war in Iraq and how we must get on doing the work that is ahead of us. Democrats in various parts of the country wondered how a former Democratic President could compliment a Republican President. Some thought he was undermining the Democratic party, some thought he was giving an endorsement to President Bush, but when you analyze it and sift it all through, you just wonder why one person from one party cannot give a compliment to another person in a different party.

When you think today of the tough economy, when you think today of the war in Iraq, there is one quality that each one of us needs and it is the quality of encouragement. A compliment is a way of encouraging others.

Is there a degree of small mindedness or poverty of spirit that prevents us from complimenting someone who does something that is good and worthwhile? Is there something so small in us that we cannot offer a compliment to someone who is in need and want because of a situation in their lives? Jesus Christ many centuries ago gave a direction when speaking about charity. He said, "by this shall all men know that you are my disciples if you have loved one another". A compliment to a person in want and need is another way of showing the charity of Christ.