WORDS

credit: Dawn Westerberg

Real life means talking to people. Some of the people I’ve talked to today include my husband, my kids, the receptionist at the doctor’s office, the nurse, the doctor, our apartment manager … okay, you get the idea.

Words matter. Words can build up or break down. Words can inspire or crush. Words can make us cry both tears of joy and of pain.

Most of the time we speak to communicate, but is it possible to also encourage as we chat?

Words that bring encouragement are:

thank you
I love you
you did a great job
I’m proud of you
you are so smart
you made me smile
I knew you could do it

These words can be inserted into most conversation for great results.

Words come from our lips and they work even better if our lips are turned upward as we speak. Eye contact also helps, and a gentle touch where appropriate.

I wasn’t thinking about my words when I started today, and looking back I think I did a pretty good job with them. I’ve been pleasant. I said thank you. I wasn’t too grumpy, even when big kids messed up my clean house.

But I know I can do better. This happens when I use specific words labeled, “prayer.” God can help us with our words and our smiles. All we have to do is ask.

And that’s another great way to use our words–to remind ourselves Who can help us speak better … and Who we’re representing with every syllable.

These words start with a phrase that’s wise to use often: Dear Jesus.

And they end with one word that means a lot. Amen. Let it be so.