Yesterday I got a message on Facebook from a friend from long ago. She said…
Just the other day I remembered something you said at least 25 years ago and it changed my life, to you it was probably insignificant but it was HUGE to me. Someone on the team had said something to you about me and my ‘control’ issue. Instead of agreeing with them you told them that “yes, it was amazing how far God had brought me in the couple of years you had known me.” It was one of the first times someone had seen (and put into words to me) where I was going instead of where I was and it gave me hope. I try to speak that hope to others, especially my kids because I know what a difference it made to me that day.
I don’t remember that conversation–but I am struck once again by the power of words. Even the little ones, in seemingly forgettable conversations, can have huge, life-time impact. I wonder how many things I have said where I will never know the impact—for good or for bad? Not a lot I can do about the past. But I can determine today to use my words to give life.
“A word out of your mouth may seem of no account, but it can accomplish nearly anything—or destroy it! It only takes a spark, remember, to set off a forest fire.” (James 3:5, MSG)
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Love this post and reminder. Thanks Tim.
[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Tim Stevens, Brenda Salzano . Brenda Salzano said: RT @timastevens: A conversation from 25 yrs ago was brought to my attention today http://bit.ly/dC0iLg [...]
Great reminder Tim. Thanks brother.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by timastevens: A conversation from 25 yrs ago was brought to my attention today http://bit.ly/dC0iLg...
Thanks, this is so true!
Words do so much, they build up and they tear down. I remember in high school over 30 years ago I wasn't doing so well; family strife, financial woes, alcohol n drugs, basically a lost and hopeless adolescent. One day in chemistry class the teacher handed out test results. I was kind of a black sheep at school; I didn't fit in any of the clicks or crowds. I had got an "A" on the test; the only one. Our teacher began to berate the class over the dismal test results of even the most promising nerds. Then he pointed at me. He said something to the effect of "look at Scott with all his problems and still in spite of them he does what it takes to succeed in this class, I admire him," He admired me? What was there to admire? I don't know, but those three words "I admire him" I had never heard before. No one had ever seen anything good in me before. Those three words carried me through college and graduate school – with a 4.0. Thank you Mr. Spoonmoore, I don't know what you saw in me, but you did plant a seed that day, a seed of hope that is still growing.
My wife and I were discussing this recently. How our words affect others today and in the future. Did we lead someone closer to God or push them further away…
[...] us how important our words are… even if we do not remember them in his post titled, “Every Conversation Matters.” What a great [...]
[...] “arrived.” We’re all a work in progress, as is everything we do. I recently heard a story of a pastor who got a letter 25 years after a conversation he had with a church member. He had never thought twice about the [...]