Earlier this past week I was in Tijuana for a pastors’ meeting. On the way back home I stopped at a PEMEX gas station in TJ to get some gas. The woman who was attending my car’s needs (in Mexico they still have gas attendants to fill up your tank for you!) was very friendly.
When she finished filling the car up, I paid her and she asked me if I wanted a receipt. I said, yes. Then she gave me a compliment. She said, “you speak Spanish well.”
I found that to be very encouraging. I guess, in part because even though I’ve spoken Spanish for over 20 years, I feel a little rusty. When I lived in Colorado I didn’t get a lot of opportunities to speak Spanish.
As I drove away from my encounter with the gas station attendant, who I may never meet again, my spirit was lifted. It made me think about the power of a good word. Even when we speak a positive word of encouragement to those we don’t know, the Lord can use it to lift them up.
Since I’ve moved to the San Diego – Tijuana border I’ve met with a number of pastors and Christian workers, and some of them are discouraged. All of them need encouragement along the way.
Even as I read other people’s blog posts I notice that many share how they are discouraged. Some feel they have to defend themselves, because of the negative words of others.
I was surprised and disheartened to see an example of this the other day on a very good and popular blog site: Bucket List Publications. The author of this site, Lesley, has encouraged me along the way, so it’s disappointing to learn that she is getting some negative feedback.
Many are weighed down by the worries this world brings upon them. God can use us to lift the load, and to carry one another’s burdens. Yes, there is power in the words that we speak! Power for good or evil.
“Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad.” —Proverbs 12:25 (ESV)
“To make an apt answer is a joy to a man, and a word in season, how good it is!” —Proverbs 15:23 (ESV)
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.” —Proverbs 25:11 (ESV)
—emphasis mine!
Why not choose to be a blessing to others? Why not bring words of healing and hope?
If something as simple as a gas station attendant complimenting me on my Spanish could lift me up, just think how the Lord can use you if you are intentional and listening to him. Seek to speak words of healing and hope today!
I so appreciate all those that like my posts, and those that take the time to write an encouraging comment! A heartfelt shout out to you!
Hey – if you have an encouraging story to tell, I’d love to hear it!
In His Grip, Dave
DiasoLifeOnTheBorder.org
12 Comments
By Larry Who
This short message by Mother Teresa of Calcutta blesses me every time I read it: “We ourselves feel that what we are doing is just a drop in the ocean. But the ocean would be less because of that missing drop.”
By ljoneil
Hey I really needed to hear that tonight! Thank you and God Bless you and your family and ministry!! Lori
By diasolifeontheborder
That’s great I’m glad The Lord used my blog to minister to you – hope you have a wonderful day today!
By ljoneil
By the way I came along to thank you for liking my posts. I was so encourages by yours I forgot to do that 🙂
By diasolifeontheborder
Thanks so much for taking the time to share how you were encourage that lifts me up as well.
By sustainabilitea
Saying something nice to someone is such a simple way to not only bless them but to bless yourself. If you’re in a bad mood, intentionally looking for something good and mentioning it will make you feel better as well. If what goes around, comes around, you’d better make sure that you start with something good, for self-protection if nothing else.
For instance–I really enjoyed this post (which I did). I think that you need to add something to this sentence to make it complete: :The woman who was attending my car’s needs (in Mexico they still have gas attendants to fill up your tank for you!).”
Start with a sincere compliment, then gently mention anything else. 🙂
Blessings on your Lord’s Day,
janet
By diasolifeontheborder
Thanks for the encouragement and good point on my sentence. I think I got caught up in the parenthetical phrase and forgot to finish it up. You pointed out my mistake very gracefully – I appreciate that as well! 🙂
By Douglas Hammerstrom
Well said! Thanks for the post, Dave!
By diasolifeontheborder
Thanks Doug – always good to hear from you.
By myviewandopinion
One positive word to another lost soul can have far-reaching effects that only God knows about. That’s exciting to me and why I try to be an encouragement to those around me.
By diasolifeontheborder
Sounds like a good plan – I pray The Lord will use all the seed we are sowing
By peacelovegreatcountrymusic
I try hard to make eye contact and smile at everyone, I worry someone is hurting that needs a good intention shown to them. I try and do simple things like saying thank you in a check out line, anything to make that person feel a connection. Recently a random stranger told a friend of mine that she was going to pray for her that night and my friend felt so much better. You never know when you are being led to shine light on someone.
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