Use Words for Encouragement

Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. Ephesians 4:29 NLT

Kind words that are spoken to others are not only good and helpful, but these words also lift the spirits of both the recipient and the speaker of those words. It is a double blessing as well as being an act of love and compassion.  In order to let everything we say be good and helpful, we are given the opportunity to take pause to reflect and think before we speak. We get to take time with others. We are afforded the chance to be deliberately mindful and kind. Then in turn, our words will be encouraging and may be even inspiring to those who hear them. Now, that is a beautiful gift.

One of my favorite quotes that reinforces today’s message that I never grow tired of hearing and expressing is from Mother Teresa: Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their
echoes are truly endless.

Also, making the rounds on the internet is the “Before You Speak…THINK” campaign. The campaign’s anagram uses THINK, which conveys the above bible quote beautifully: “Before you speak, THINK: Is it true? Is it helpful? Is it inspiring? Is it necessary? Is it kind?” I used these words to create the above image to go with today’s message. Feel free to share it as long as you keep my website information on it. May this inspire you over the holidays as we mingle with friends and family whom we have not seen in a while (for one reason or another). Be the change you wish to see in the world and in them. THINK. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Related articles

• We are to use our words to heal and to encourage. (onelifetimeblog.com)
• How to Read the Bible Backwards (billhogan77.wordpress.com)
• A Simple Path (iseekhim.com)

Kindness

Kind words can be short and easy to speak,
but their echoes are truly endless.
~ Mother Teresa

Mother Teresa is one of my favorite people who I delight in quoting. Most of her words are filled with love and wisdom that speak to my heart. Love and kindness are a standard I try my best to live in my thoughts, words and actions. One of the best ways to engage in conversations with someone you do not know is to express kindness to him or her. Today, when I was at Costco, I complimented a woman on her purchase of colorfully foiled chocolate eggs. They were truly beautiful.

She immediately gave me a warm smile and we enjoyed a brief, but joyful conversation. As she left the store, she seemed to be a bit happier than before we had our conversation.  I wonder how the rest of her day went. I was happier. It made picking up more frozen vegetables and Greek yogurt a bit more pleasant. The quick reminder in all this is, whenever you can, seize the opportunity to deliver genuine kind words to everyone you encounter in your day. You never know how far those words will carry onward. I am sending forth my warm wishes to each of you who are reading this, joy and delight for the rest of your day, week, and weekend.

Related articles

• Be Kind Anyway (thekindnesskronicles.wordpress.com)
• Mother Teresa Quote and Thought For Today! (lechantelteam.wordpress.com)
• The kindness of flowers (bogsofohio.wordpress.com)