A Word of Kindness

Remember that phone call from school I told you about? Well, it sure has got me thinking…

I realized again in that several minute conversation the impact of kind words shared with another. I thought of all the times I’ve shared a kind or encouraging word with some one and saw how their face lit up or their countenance changed.

I also thought of all the times I’ve chosen, for whatever reason, to not share those words of encouragement and, the opportunities for brightening someone’s day were missed.

The Word tells us, “Worry weighs a person down; an encouraging word cheers a person up.” (Prov.12:25). And these wise words of Ian MacLaren, “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.”

In the midst of the extra-busyness of the Christmas season, we bump elbows (sometimes literally) with lots of folks who are weighed down by one thing or another. Perhaps it’s finances, health issues, relationship problems or concerns for a child. The list goes on and on.

And in the midst of this money-driven, often selfish society we live in, one thing we can give to others that costs us nothing is a kind or encouraging word. It doesn’t cost us a thing except for the energy it takes to think it and share it. But, wow! The impact it can have on another!

This holiday season I encourage you to say or do something nice for some one. You can even take it one step further and make it a habit to do so. A funny thing happens when we do that—while it sure does have an effect on the receiver, it also has a huge impact on the giver. One can’t help but be encouraged when encouraging others.

For me, when life is stressful and my outlook is less than rosy, I become even more intentional about encouraging others. The joy it brings them rubs right off on me, too, and before I know it, my perspective is a lot brighter.

I encourage each of you to begin today by sharing that kind word—at home, at school or work, in the grocery store, the gas station, in Walmart. Even if it feels a bit awkward at first, don’t give up—you can bring a ray of sunshine to someone’s cloudy day!

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