I have a bit of a tongue twister for you today. But first, as always, let me bring you to a wonderful verse of Scripture. Probably you know of this dear brother in the Lord. But if you are new to reading the Bible, may I please introduce Barnabas to you. This man had such a wonderful gift of reaching out and being a blessing in hurting or awkward situations.

He is called the son of consolation in Acts 4:36. But it’s in Acts 9 that I want you to see how Barnabas lived up to his name. Saul of Tarsus has been wonderfully converted. No longer persecuting Christians, he himself has become one and wants to join the other believers in Jerusalem. They are afraid of him and want nothing to do with him. Here’s the verse, Acts. 9:27, “But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that He had spoken to him, and how he preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.”

Here’s something to think about. This thought struck me this morning. With my words and actions, I will either be a “fender bender” leaving behind a trail of hurt feelings, needless offenses, and damaged relationships, or I will be a “fender-bender mender” in which I will encourage those around me, bring healing to wounded people, and restoration to those broken relationships. Barnabas (Acts 4:36; 9:26-27) was just such an encourager. He indeed was a “fender-bender mender”! That’s what I want to be. How about you?