I was visiting my elderly Dad in the nursing home when out of the blue he said, “You should have won that Spanish award in high school.”
I looked at him in stunned silence . . .
His words felt like someone trying to pick at the scar and re-open a wound from long ago.
“You remember that?” I finally said.
“Of course,” he replied. “We all knew you were the top Spanish student senior year, yet I never understood why the award went to someone else.”
I could only shake my head in disbelief and smile.
If only I’d heard those words 30 years ago!
How it would have tempered my disappointment and affirmed all my hard work.
But the award ceremony came and went and nothing was ever spoken.
Failing to speak the good we are thinking can sometimes wound as deeply as words carelessly spoken.
Proverbs 18:21 tells us “Death and life are in the power of the tongue.”
Words are powerful.
They can convey negatives on the road to death—pain, offense, dejection, depression, annoyance, rage, etc. . . .
. . . or, our words can impart life—inspire, encourage, motivate, embolden, heal, restore, and so on.
As Christians, our words should reflect the message of Christ and add value to conversation, building up rather than tearing down.
“Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” (Ephesians 4:29)
Our words can dispense grace to the hearers!
“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” (Colossians 4:6)
Salt has long been used to preserve and flavor food. It makes what we eat wholesome and palatable.
Likewise with our conversation . . .
Like putting salt on our food, our talk should be seasoned with good, gracious words, making conversation more appetizing and flavorful.
Without “salting” our words, they are subject to being unprofitable and injurious, like meat left untreated, spoils.
So don’t hold back!
Remember the words from Berton Braley’s poem “Do It Now”:
“If you think some praise is due him now’s the time to slip it to him,
For he cannot read his tombstone when he’s dead.”
Is there someone you can bless today with kind and encouraging words?
Copyright © 2017 Cheryl Elton
Thank you for sharing your story. It must have been such a blessing to hear these words from your Dad. I feel like you won the award after all. I can only imagine how different this world would be if everyone chose good and gracious words. I will personally make the effort.
Thanks Patty. God bless you, my friend!
Ah yes Cheryl, “salting” your words ~ what a difference that makes! And mentioning Berton Braley’s poem, “Do It Now”~ how appropriate. It is like always the right thing to do!
I know you enjoy poetry, Tony. “Do It Now” is one of my favorites too.
Thank you for sharing this, Cheryl. What a great message of the need to give encouragement TODAY. It was so wonderful that you opened your heart to share that very personal moment when your Dad finally acknowledged your painful incident from long before. It truly helped illustrate your point. I am looking forward to receiving your book, that I just ordered. You are a special person and a blessing, Cheryl!
Thanks Lisa! It’s been great to connect with you again. Hope you enjoy the book also. God bless you!
Great reminder, Cheryl and great picture of you and your dad! I think sometimes it’s good to “rewind those tapes” in our head (when hurtful things were said to us or encouragement wasn’t, but should have been given) and “rewrite the script”! Works well when we’ve been the offender as well. Blessings! 🙂
You’re so right, Rayma. It is good to think through those times if they happen, and move toward forgiveness quickly, so as not to let it turn to bitterness.
Great reminder, Cheryl, and shared with grace. Thank you.
Thanks Sarah. God bless you!
Cheryl – Nice message!!
What a perfect exhortation for today and every day! I am going to really take this to heart today as I am with different people. Everyone needs encouragement. If I am the one who is with a certain person today, than I am the one that God wants to use to help encourage him or her and draw him or her closer to Christ.
Thanks Ken. I like what you say about being the one God wants to use. Something we surely need to think about and remember!