In TPM, the Queen narrowly escapes from Naboo.
During the escape, her starship’s shield generator suffers damage trying to get through the Federation’s blockade.
A number of Droids are sent out to fix it, but most are destroyed.
The droid that does fix it is R2D2.
While Captain Panaka is explaining what has taken place, Queen Amidala asks, “It is to be commended. What is its number?”
In a world that focuses more on oneself and less on others, we need to be reminded to commend those in our lives that have done good.
People are hurting today and need encouragement.
Proverbs 15:4a tells us that “A gentle tongue is a tree of life.” It should not be difficult to find something positive to say to another person.
1 Thessalonians, Paul writes in 5:11, “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” We know from this verse that those in Thessalonica were living this out.
Could Paul write this verse to us today?
How do we best commend and uplift one another?
We should build up one another in person as Hebrews 10:24-25 tells us, “let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
While calling a person or sending a text or email is a start, let us move towards telling people in person so that they can see our full message to them.
The words we say, the tone we say them in, and our body language will provide more to our words of encouragement or commendation.
As Philippians 4:8 tells us, “Finally, brothers [and sisters], whatever is true…honorable… just… pure… lovely… commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.”
