Bless others with your words
Since they were little, my daughters and I have gotten into the habit of writing encouraging notes to one other.
“You are a wonderful girl,” I jot down on a floral notecard to my oldest daughter, “You fill our home with love.”
“I love you, Mom” she writes back, “You are the best.”
“You’re a great big sister,” I inscribe. “I can always count on you to help me.”
“You are a blessing to us all,” I note, “We are so proud of you.”
Our words contain power and with them we can either build up or break people down. Some time ago, I heard a narrative that illustrates this important point.
The story was about a woman who felt badly that she had unfairly gossiped about someone in her neighborhood. Trying to ease her guilt, she went to visit her pastor and confided, “I spread hurtful, unkind remarks about one of my neighbors.”
After listening to the woman’s account of what had happened, the pastor gave her a large envelope full of little white feathers. Then, he instructed the woman to go back home and put one feather on the door step of every house in her neighborhood. And thereafter, he asked her to return to his office.
That afternoon, the woman did as the pastor requested. Then, later that day, she returned, handed him the empty envelope, and questioned, “What should I do next?”
Without hesitation, the pastor said, “Now, go back to your neighborhood and pick up all of the feathers.”
Confused, the woman shook her head and responded, “I can’t retrieve all of those feathers. It’s impossible. By now, the wind must have blown the feathers all across town.”
Gently, the pastor replied, “Like those feathers, negative words can become impossible to get back. Use wisdom and always be careful in what you say.”
In the Book of Proverbs, it tells us:
•“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life.” Proverbs 15:4.
•“He that speaketh truth sheweth forth righteous.” Proverbs 12:17.
•“Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24.
•“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” Proverbs 25:11.
Therefore, day-to-day, let us help, heal and build people up by the words we choose to speak. Let’s develop the habit of looking for the best in one another. What we focus upon, we generally find. So, let us focus on the good and the positive in people.
Never miss an opportunity to encourage someone. Try to bring out the best in others. Bolster a person’s self-esteem by pointing out certain attributes or things they do well and then commend them for it.
Point out people’s strengths. Give sincere compliments. And foster cando attitudes by telling them, “I believe in you,” “You’re a hard worker,” “Keep thinking positive,” “I’m proud of your accomplishments,” “You have what it takes to succeed,” and “Put your faith in God to lead the way.”
Remind your spouse, your children and your dear friends how grateful you are for them. Daily, let them know what they mean to you.
Take time to wish others a “good day.” At the office, tell your co-workers, “You are doing a great job!” If you are exercising with a friend express to them, “You look healthy. Your dedication is paying off.”
While running errands, smile and offer kind words to those you meet. Often, it’s the little things that we do that can go a long way: Send a handwritten ‘thank you’ note expressing appreciation to the people who have positively influenced your life.
Make a phone call or mail an uplifting greeting card to let a special person know you are thinking of them. And be ready to comfort hurting people, say a prayer for them and put forward encouragement to those in need. For we all need to hear faith-filled words of reassurance to keep us moving forward.
One of the most incredible letters I ever received was from a naval submarine officer who was stationed on a submarine deep in the Adriatic Sea. The Officer wrote via email, “In the mess deck, I found your article lying on a table.
I have no idea how it got into the ship and your words helped me so much.” He told in his email that he was praying; and a few moments later, the article miraculously appeared to him at the just right time.
And my encouraging words gave him hope, comfort and renewed strength to not give up on his future. “Regardless of what is going on in the world, your article reminded me that God is with us,” the Officer wrote.
You never know how your words will impact others. So each day make it a priority to do what is suggested in this heartfelt verse:
“For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness;
and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone.” Actress, Audrey Hepburn.
God bless you, as you bless others!