Our Words Say More Than We Realize!

Our Words Say More Than We Realize!

"Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers."
Ephesians 4:29

"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones."
Proverbs 16:24

I know Mother's Day has come and gone, but I'd like to share something from that day which is still stuck deep down in my heart and mind!

Brian and I want on a truck date for Mother's Day dinner, and it was wonderful!

Going on a truck date instead of into a restaurant has many benefits!

  • We didn't have to remember to make reservations ahead of time!
  • No loooooong line to wait in just to get a seat!
  • Didn't have to put up with all the people and commotion!
  • No paying outlandish prices for a skimpy meal! 
  • It was a spur-of-the-moment kind of thing which made it even more fun!

Okay I think you get my point!

So after we placed our order on our truck date, we drove to the next window to pay and receive our food. When we pulled up, Brian just casually asked the server how she was doing.

I'm so thankful she didn't give the usual pat answer of, "I'm fine. All is good."

Too often we don't want to bother others with our troubles, problems or concerns, so we automatically just say, "I'm fine" , and go on our merry way.

And sad to say, MANY times when people DO ask how we are, they don't hang around long enough for us to REALLY answer them!

But this particular day, I'm thankful our server was honest enough to say, "I have a headache and I'm really tired. I worked a twelve-hour shift, went home, slept for three hours, and then came back to work."

She didn't say it in a complaining way, she was just telling us how she honestly felt, and I was so glad we were there to listen.

I SOOOOO wanted to wish her a Happy Mother's Day, but I wasn't sure that she was a Mother, and I surely didn't want to add insult to injury and make her feel worse than she was already feeling.

But then she happened to say, "I have off work tomorrow, so after I get the kids off to school, I'm going to sleep!"

YES! That was my chance to say something to her!

I leaned front in my truck seat and said, "Happy Mother's Day!"

Oh, how I wish all of you could have seen the transformation which took place!

Her entire face

lite up!

She smiled

SO BIG!

You would have thought she had just been handed one million dollars, and yet all I said was, "Happy Mother's Day!"

She looked at me and with that HUGE smile on her face said, "You just made my day!"

WOW!

As we were pulling away from the window with our food in hand, I said to her once again, "Happy Mother's Day, and be sure to rest tomorrow on your day off!"

She thanked me once again, and she was still beaming from ear to ear!

When Brian and I found "our" parking space and began eating, I just kept thinking about her! 

I just couldn't get over the fact how just a few words changed her from looking so sad, tired and downcast, to looking extremely encouraged, happy and content!

"A word spoken in due season, how good is it!"
Proverbs 15:23

But then the Lord reminded me that she said she had worked a twelve-hour shift and was back at work again. Remember this was not some fancy-dancy restaurant where the servers are normally treated with great respect.

No, this was a fast food place where I would almost guarantee that many people are anything but respectful.

People are in a hurry.

They place their order into a little box completely oblivious to the fact that there IS a human being on the other side of that box.

By the time they've waited in line and reach the server, they just want to throw their money in the window, grab their food, and be on their way.

I'm sure in that twelve-hour shift our server heard, in not the best tone of voice, and certainly not with the best language, such things as,

"I ordered Diet Coke, but you gave me regular Coke."  Said in a very nasty voice followed by a string of curse words.

"I ordered my sandwich without onions and tomatoes, but you still put the tomatoes on it. Now I gotta wait while they make me a whole new sandwich!  I really don't have time for this!" 

"I ordered a large chocolate milk shake, but you gave me a medium cookies and cream shake. Weren't you listening?"

"My child's kid's meal was missing the toy. I demand to see your manager."

OUCH!

Death and life truly ARE in the power of the tongue.

That little organ located in our mouth has the power to bring life and also has the power to bring death. 

I understand we are living in a crazy busy, go, go, go world, where most people are not only trying to keep up with The Jones, they are attempting to exceed and overtake The Jones!

We now live in a totally digital age where we choose to text our spouse, who is sitting right next to us, rather than just talking to them. 

Everyone has someplace to go, someone to see, and WAY too many things to accomplish!

In this fast paced world in which we are living, we all need to STOP for just a few minutes and show a little bit of kindness to each other. 

No one is too busy to smile and wave at the crossing guard whom you see every day when you drop off your kiddos at school.

No one is too busy to strike up a conversation as you wait for the cashier to scan your groceries at your local grocery store. 

No one is too busy to extend a hand and say, "Thank You",  to a veteran, a police officer, a fire fighter, a serviceman or woman in uniform, your child's teacher at school and at church.

No one is too busy to ask the server at your favorite drive-thru restaurant how their day is going!

We have no idea what any one is going through.

People may be smiling on the outside, but crying on the inside. 

Let's all endeavor to SPEAK love, compassion and encouragement to the people who cross our paths each and every day.

Who can

you and I

ENCOURAGE

this week

with our words?


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May God Bless You,

Barb

6 Comments

  • Felicia

    May 24, 2017 at 8:23 am Reply

    Another great post Barb. Thanks for your words.

    • Barb

      May 24, 2017 at 11:00 am Reply

      Felicia my sweet friend, thank you so much for your words of encouragement.
      Words are powerful, and your words brightened my day ❤❤

  • Sandra Platt

    May 24, 2017 at 8:40 am Reply

    Perfect topic! Often no one has "time" to be nice, or even civil. Thank you for reminding us that we are to shine His light in this world.

    Isn't it wonderful how you blessed the fast food worker? Love you Sparkle

    • Barb

      May 25, 2017 at 11:49 am Reply

      Oh, my sweet friend Sandy, our words DO hold power and what you wrote to me helped to truly brighten up my day
      You are a blessing to me!
      I love you BUNCHES, Sparkle ❤❤❤

  • Linda

    May 25, 2017 at 4:29 am Reply

    I suspect that many, many people ache for a kind word, a bit of human genuineness. Barb, I love what you instinctively did - that girl was truly blessed - and all it took was a few words that showed an interest in her, that she mattered. Wouldn't it be great if we all became more responsive to people we come across, encouraging them with a smile, a greeting, really listening to them. Thank you for this reminder, Barb, to be proactive as we go about our days. I'm going to remember them as I wander out into the community this week. Your words week by week are an encouragement to all who visit your corner of the web - thank you! Heaps of love and hugs, my friend, from my part of the world to yours. ❤️

    • Barb

      May 25, 2017 at 11:48 am Reply

      Linda, once again the Lord used your words of encouragement as a balm to my soul! Just another proof that there is power in our words! There are so many people whom we pass by every day who probably are carrying huge burdens and going through major trials, and a simple smile or a friendly, "hello" can sure go a long way.
      Love you my sweet, precious friend ❤❤❤

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