The Proverbs 32 Woman: A 5-Day Devotional PlanНамуна

Words, Words, Words

I learned early on “the power of the tongue.” 

My third-grade teacher, Mrs. Veenstra, was disappointed in me. I idolized her. Hearing I disappointed her cut me like a knife. Some kids had been picking on a girl in my class, and I guess I didn’t do much to stop it. I might have even joined in; it’s a blur. I could have used my words to help save a fellow classmate from pain and heartache, but I chose not to. 

How many times have you stood by when gossip was happening or someone was being hurt and said nothing? If we do nothing to stop it, we are part of the problem. 

Mrs. Veenstra shared in a simple way that she thought highly of me and that she expected me to be kind and loving to all my fellow students, no matter what. I was mortified and cried myself to sleep.

But let me tell you, I never made fun of anyone on or off the playground like that again! (Well, except my family, but I get paid for that.) 

Mrs. Veenstra used her words to change me, and I never forgot it. Yes, our words have power. It’s not too late to learn this simple truth: our words mean something and have an impact, whether it’s good, bad, or ugly. 

When is the last time you wrote someone an encouraging note or email for no reason? It could change someone’s entire day to hear something positive about themselves. Get crazy, use a pen! Get even crazier and use your voice. Call someone on the phone and tell them you’ve been thinking about them. Blow their mind that you still know how to dial. People need to hear good things about themselves from a real, live human being. Social media has warped our sense of validation. A spoken word from a friend or coworker could be life-changing. 

Life is short, and we shouldn’t put off until tomorrow what can be said today. Don’t ever take for granted the power of your words to uplift, encourage, and inspire yourself and those around you. 

Dear Lord, 

Thank You for being the master of words and creating this marvelous thing we call language. Please help me know how to use it appropriately, for good, not evil. 

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.

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We adapted this plan from She Rises Late and Her Kids Make Her Breakfast: Devotions for the Proverbs 32 Woman. For more devotions from Kerri Pomarolli, visit:  https://amzn.to/2IjAPFK