“Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you.”—Ephesians 4:29 (GNT)
I know I frequently write about being kind, but we really do need more kindness in our world. As Christians, I feel like this is where we can really make an impact in our corner of the world as well as on social media. Many are quick to post or say a snarky or mean comment. We can counteract the rudeness with positivity.
Can you remember a time in your life where a specific word of encouragement or positive affirmation made a difference in your life? I can. I don’t remember much from high school, but I will never forget one of my high school English teachers. It was Mrs. Lambert.
Most of my friends were in the honors English class. I know I could have been. Mrs. Lambert even told me I belonged in that class. I was honest and told her I didn’t want all the homework they had. Honestly, I was just fine easily pulling a high “A” in her class without a whole lot of effort.
Since she knew I didn’t want to be in a class that challenged me, she is the person in my life that helped blossom my love for writing. Although I loved to write, I wasn’t confident with it. She encouraged and guided me in this area. She told me I had a gift. I wasn’t so sure I did.
I am so thankful she took an interest in that little 88-pound high school senior who wasn’t always making the best choices in life. She equipped me to be confident taking English courses in college. We were told going into college most freshmen failed their first English class. Not me, Mrs. Lambert had prepared me for it.
Here I am over 40 years later, utilizing what she taught me. I am sure she had no idea the impact her kind and encouraging words had for me. I wish I would have taken the time to go back to thank her, but being the self-absorbed young adult that I was, it never crossed my mind.
Knowing how all these years later, I still remember her encouragement, motivates me to sprinkle as much kindness around me as possible. Next time you are in line, sitting in a waiting room, in an elevator, at the airport, checking out at the store, or talking to a server at the local restaurant, try giving someone a word of encouragement or a compliment.
Your positive affirmation or kind words may land on someone who hasn’t heard anything like that in months. It could be just the “pick me up” they need to get them through a day they may have woken up dreading. Your verbal “pat on the back” can change not just their entire day but maybe even how they think about themselves.
As a Christian, we have the opportunity to witness to friends, neighbors and coworkers by being kind and loving toward them. We reflect Christ in us when do this.
When we treat others with acceptance and respect, God may open the door for us to share Jesus with them. We never know if our witness will have an eternal impact on someone’s life. We plant the seeds and pray for God to put people in their path to water it.
Father God,
Thank You for putting people in my life to grow the gifts You have given me. Only You could know the impact the words of a high school English teacher could have on me. Help me to get into the habit of blessing someone with kind or encouraging words each day this week. I ask for You to put people in my pathway that are in need of knowing that You love them and they matter. I pray these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
September Verse
“The LORD your God is in your midst, A victorious warrior. He will rejoice over you with joy, He will be quiet in His love, He will rejoice over you with shouts of joy.”—Zephaniah 3:17 (NASB)
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