WORD POWER- IT PAYS TO INCREASE YOUR’S.

    Words make immeasurable differences.  The right words.

    I cared for a little boy, who said, ‘ I want an iceblock.’

    ‘What do you want?’ I countered.

   ‘I want an ice block.’ Defiantly.

    ‘ Yes, but what should you say?’ , I encouraged.

    ‘Nuffink,’ said the four year-old firmly.

    ‘How about saying, ‘please’‘? said I.

    ‘Don’t have to say it at home.’

    ‘Well, you do here and you know that,’ I said, turning away to wash dishes, ignoring his third request, until he realised I meant exactly what I said.  Then he cajoled.

    ‘Please may I have an iceblock,’ and with a smile I opened the frig, pulled out an orange juice iceblock.  The little fellow licked his iceblock, and with juicy lips, said,

    ‘Thank you. It’s so nice.’ ( and I know he is  taught to say ‘please’ and ‘thank you’ at home. )

    Words have power to encourage or disappoint.  When given a gift: a cake, money, a book or perhaps flowers, to which a response may be,

    ‘Oh, you shouldn’t have done that.’  This may disappoint the giver. But a sincerely- grateful reply,’ How thoughtful of you,’ or ‘How kind. That really meets a special need’, responds warmly to the friend, who knows ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’

    And kind expressions brighten the day for a widow or the lonely, who have noone to compliment them.  ‘How attractive you look.’ ‘What a pretty frock.’  Blue ( green, pink, red, etc. ) really suits you.’ ‘I was encouraged with your prayer. ‘

   If you lead a study group, a loving expression helps the shy member. 

‘I appreciate the truth you shared with us.’  ‘ That verse you explained really helped/ challenged/comforted/ me.’

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    Home is a perfect place to use words for deep needs.  Increase your word power by expressing love, affection, and appreciation for the children.  Be assured that parental approval and expression assure children of love and acceptance, together with increasing the feeling of security within the family.

    Generosity in recognising individual qualities, gifts, and talents also acknowledge and excite pleasurable satisfaction in a child that he/she has done their best.

    We all need encouragement.  We females have our hormonal ups and downs, sometimes depression, bouts of tears, or just plain weariness.  A kind word in season is like water in drought.

    Also that note of appreciation, a phone call of enquiry, a quick visit to ‘see how you are and let you know I love you’ works wonders.  And our God is a God of wonders.  His name is wonderful and through our word power we see the difference in the response of those we encourage.

    Regularly we write to our grandchildren , some of whom lived in Indonesia, Ghana, USA, Northern Ireland, and interstate.  God loves them, and so do we.  However, we regularly communicate either by letter, E-mail or phone call our affection for them, and that we pray for them three times daily. 

    Recently, a young woman received God’s love offered to her in Christ Jesus.  The first link in the chain of events leading to her conversion, came when she observed the love expressed in the home, she frequently visited.   Husband to wife, wife to husband, parents to children, children to parents.  She was profoundly stirred to see the peace, contentment, and fun in that home, with the Lord Jesus Christ pre-eminent.

    ‘Love was never expressed in our home,’ she confided, but you have shown me a picture of God’s love.’ 

    Work at increasing your word power so that someone will say ‘ I love God more because of you.’

    The Psalmist said, ‘ Open your mouth wide and I will fill it.’  Be willing to express yourself, as God’s Spirit helps you to say that loving word.  

    A woman was deeply depressed.  She longed for her husband to say’ I love you.’ When told of his wife’s desire he countered,

    ‘I told her that 40 years ago when we married.  She ought to know it.’  Callous?  Not really, but a great burden lifted when he realised the natural desire for the re-assurance of love. 

    You may find it difficult to express love, gratitude or encouragement, because of negative familial patterns.  But christians are called to be a significant model especially to our families, so that their word power develops to a sensitive degree.

    ‘My father/mother was never expressive ‘ is no excuse.  The Scripture clearly teaches us to be thankful, loving, encouraging, giving.  We are to work at these graces, with the Holy Spirit’s help.

    Do you know a cook who fails to practise her cooking?  Or a gardener who said, ‘ My Mum wasn’t a gardener, therefore I can’t be one. ‘

    If you find it difficult to express your feelings, please ask a  warm, loving friend to pray with you.  Discuss together appropriate ways to encourage your relations and friends. 

    Read the delightful words of Paul to the friends at Corinth.  He reminded them of the family of Stephanus, the first converts of Achaia, who ‘addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints.’ This devotion must surely find expression in the family circle.

                      A worthy example to follow.  How is your ‘word power’?

         ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.’    ( Philippians 4: 13 )