“The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Proverbs 18:21 (NIV)
Words really do have the power of life or death. Widows know very well that the words spoken to or from our loved ones, could be the very last words spoken. It’s best not to hold back from saying kind words to someone, thinking there is a better time to say them. We never know what’s going through someone’s mind and words have the power to heal, comfort and lift a person’s spirit. Our words could be life changing by being exactly what someone needs to hear in the moment.
Last weekend I did my hospital ministry going room to room and came to the room of a patient with a middle eastern name. His entire family was in the room visiting their father, who was the patriarch of their family. I asked if they were Assyrian, but they Palestinian Christians. I have found that Christians from the Middle East are exceptionally warm, humble and kind. I decided to tell the them about my love for Middle East people and they received my words with joy.
The older man who was the patient, had his wife and two stunningly beautiful daughters at his side. Then I noticed a little person staring up at me the whole time. It was the patient’s grandson, who was about five years old. As our eyes met, I greeted him and said hello. His eyes were absolutely magnetic, and there was an angelic presence about him.
Before I left the room after praying for the patient to get well, I said goodbye to all of them, and that little boy was still staring at me with his beautiful big brown eyes. I put my hand on his head and said,
“God bless you.”
After leaving the room, I couldn’t stop thinking about how precious he was. It must have been the same reaction that people had when they met Jesus, as a little boy. His glance was probably just as mesmerizing as they looked into His beautiful eyes.
I may never know what special gift God blessed that little boy with, but I know there was something special about him. I pray that my words spoke life to him and his family and that he will grow to fulfill the mission God has for him.
Of all the places in the world, God chose to send His son to the Middle East. Jesus has definitely left His mark on the people there, because whether I meet a Christian, Muslim or a Jew from a country in that area, they always reflect His humility and kindness.
We wouldn’t know it, if we formed our opinions only from the negative news headline stories about the area. It helps to personally meet and know people before forming opinions about an entire group.
To speak words of life and kindness to strangers when we have the chance, can be a ministry in itself.
We’ve all heard of random acts of kindness done for strangers, but maybe there is a ministry of random words of kindness to strangers.
I just had an unusual experience with a person speaking random words of kindness to me last weekend. I was leaving a store and walking through the parking lot to my car. An older man passed by me and out of nowhere, said, “Hello beautiful.”
Being surprised to hear those words at my age, from a total stranger, left me somewhat stunned, but I answered “Hello.”
Later, I realized that man could have a ministry of speaking life to people. He wasn’t trying to pick up women, he just spoke out loud whatever complimentary thoughts came to his mind. I thought about how his words could minister to a woman who might have been feeling bad about herself that day.
Words speak life, and speaking random words of kindness to total strangers is a ministry that lifts the spirit of people, and shares a little glimpse of God’s love.
Lord, help us to use our words to give life, and to know the right time to speak those words, by opening the eyes of our heart to see those who need their spirit lifted.
Amen
