Discover His heart: He fills our mouths with sweet words to encourage others
“Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” (24) It’s hard to place a value on a few kind words. For those who live and work in a caring environment where kind words are shared on a regular basis, these words are appreciated and make one feel valued. But for someone who rarely hears a kind word of any sort, a few shared words of encouragement or a compliment could be life-changing.
A while back I was making a mad dash through the grocery store, very focused on my list in hand, but I wasn’t too focused to notice a very discouraged looking woman with three squabbling children. The kids weren’t disorderly or loud, but I could tell they had gotten on her very last nerve. When my children were young, I often shopped at 11:00 pm when the store was quiet, empty and the soft music was actually audible…and my kids were in bed. Unfortunately, this mom was not alone.
As I was about to walk past the foursome, I saw her bright blue eyes flash at her children with that look that said “straighten up or else,” and I also noticed how much her turquoise top brightened her eyes and flattered her. I stopped and told her just that. At my interaction with them, the children stopped fighting, and the mom lifted her head with tears in her eyes and said, “Thank you so very much. I haven’t heard a compliment for such a long time.” Well, I realized only the Lord could have filled my mouth with those sweet words that lifted her heart. When we parted, this weary mom walked away with her head held a little higher, shoulders back and perhaps a sweeter soul. It’s hard to place a value on a few kind words.
Even though my personal world is filled with gracious and kind souls, I will testify as one who can feast for quite a while on a few kind words. Maybe I’m just easy, but I think most of us feel this way. Kind words just make us look better, feel stronger and think right. In our busy world of high rollers and self-indulgences, concern for the feelings of others is not a top priority. If we listen to too many news commentators and political ads, it’s easy to get accustomed to serving up sour grapes instead of sweet honey, and I think the terse jargon of today can affect the health of both the speaker and the listener.
Better to follow Paul’s advice in Ephesians 4:29, “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.” Sweet!
Moving Forward: “Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Sweet and healthy – imagine! I hope to sweeten someone’s life today.
Tomorrow @ Daniel 1-6
Phyllis Benigas 