Moments after President Abraham Lincoln was shot at Ford’s Theater in Washington, D.C., his body was carried across the street to the Petersen House. The Petersen were out of town at the time, but theirs was the closest place Lincoln’s people could find with a bed. It was in that bed that the president drew his final breath the next morning.
Before they performed an autopsy, they removed six items from Lincoln’s pockets.
- Small pocket knife
- Two pairs of glasses
- Pocket watch
- A handkerchief with his initials
- $5 in Confederate money
- An article praising his leadership
Just four days earlier, Robert E. Lee had surrendered, effectively ending America’s worst nightmare. One would think Lincoln was feeling pretty good about himself at the moment. But still, he carried with him – to the grave – an article praising his presidency.
We all need encouragement. Paul wrote, “Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29).
Recovery Step: Find someone to encourage today.
