Words

Words

Words are powerful. They hold meaning. They build up or tear down. They are influential. They admonish and encourage. They give life or they give death.

Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue…”

During some of our team-time and feedbacks, it’s been impressed on me that to not give feedback when it’s due is withholding the opportunity for someone else to grow. If I keep quiet and shrug it off by thinking “it’s just the way they are” then I’m preventing them from growing and developing better or new habits. What we say to each other is a good challenge to allow the other to learn, change and grow in their areas of weakness.

“In every encounter we either give life or we drain it; there is no neutral exchange.”
– Brennan Manning

Encouraging words are also needed and are important to share. Noticing the little things that someone has done and acknowledging them for it encourages that person to keep doing it and to continue to look for ways to be a blessing to others. We thrive off of each other’s words; they are there for edification and lifting each other up.

A precious moment I had here was when I was sitting next to one of my favourite boys. We were just having fun next to each other, smiling and laughing because we’d tickle each other. He abruptly gets up and goes to my Spanish speaking teammate Melody and I could see them talking but had no idea what they were saying. He comes back and sits beside me again and after a pause, says in English “I like your smile.” That was so special. It made me smile even more. And it makes me want to speak out more, to speak out the positive things in people and let them know how special and dear they are to me. To brighten up someone’s day with a smile and with a positive note of encouragement to let them know I love them and I care. And even to passersby on the streets, to give them a smile that radiates God’s love to them.

“Speak life speak life to the deadest, darkest night
Speak life speak life when the sun won’t shine and you don’t know why
Look into the eyes of the broken hearted, watch them come alive as soon as you speak hope, you speak love, you speak, you speak life.”
– Toby Mac

Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.”

Mi amigo.