I was reading a post this morning on Facebook, and the post ended with the two words, “Choose Joy.” As I contemplated those two words, I concluded it was right. Choosing joy is a choice. Then I began thinking about our words. They, too, are a choice!
I have been on a leave of absence from work since March 1st. I am taking care of my mom while my sister is away. I love being home with mom. Spending extra time with her is truly a blessing. I made a list of items I wanted to accomplish during my leave. Crossing off each of those items has given me great pleasure. I also have a list of weekly items that I must do to keep the house clean and functioning. I am the type of person who works better with a list in front of me.
One of the items on my list is to text some of my friends that I haven’t been able to because of work or conflicting schedules. Another item on my weekly list is to write a letter to each of my grandkids. Writing a letter or card is so foreign today, but I believe written words are important. I still have some of my grandmother’s cards in a special box. I also have some of my former students’ thank you letters. I love reading through those letters and cards. As a teacher, you don’t always reap instantly what you have sown in your students’ lives. Sometimes it may be years before you realize your impact on one of your students’ lives.
Today, however, we have a new method of communication, and that is through texting. How convenient! We can send a text halfway across the world in just a few moments. Technology at its finest moment! Yet, how often do we send an encouraging text to someone? This morning as I was helping my mom prepare for the day, I noticed a text from one of my coworkers. It was two words, “Miss you.” I texted back a message, but I cannot tell you how much that message meant to me. It let me know that I am missed even though I am not at work. It was then that I realized the power we hold in our hands to help, encourage, love, and strengthen someone through the words we text, say, or write.
I realize our lives are so busy with work, school, and other schedules. Yet, how long does it take to text an encouraging message to someone? Perhaps it is to check up on someone. Maybe it’s to let someone know that you are praying for them. It might be an older adult that would love to hear from one of their friends.
The Bible is filled with many verses about words’ power. In Proverbs 12:25, it says, “Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, But a good word makes it glad.” Proverbs 18:21 says, “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” One of my favorite verses is Proverbs 25:11, which says, “Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances.” In that same chapter of Proverbs verse 25, “Like cold water to a weary soul, So is good news from a distant land.”
Then let me ask you, and I am asking myself also, why don’t we send a text or write a letter or card to someone? What if we ask God to show us one person who needs our encouragement that day? Will God answer that prayer? I believe He will. It may be an encouraging word to a coworker, your mate, one of your children, a neighbor, or a relative. We hold that power; what will we do with it? We may never know this side of Heaven, how our words have affected or saved someone’s life.
“Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, When it is in your power to do it.” Proverbs 3:27.
