Friendship Ministries
  • Home
  • About
    • Mission
    • Statement of Faith
    • Dr. Russ
    • Dr. Virginia
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Men's Bible Study

The life changing power of words

2/11/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Recently, I heard a touching story which illustrates the power that words have to change a life -- a power that lies right in the hands of those reading this article. Mary had grown up knowing that she was different from the other kids, and she hated it. She was born with a cleft palate and had to bear the jokes and stares of cruel children who teased her non-stop about her misshaped lip, crooked nose, and garbled speech.

With all the teasing, Mary grew up hating the fact that she was "different". She was convinced that no one, outside her family, could ever love her ... until she entered Mrs. Leonard's class. Mrs. Leonard had a warm smile, a round face, and shiny brown hair. While everyone in her class liked her, Mary came to love Mrs. Leonard.

In the 1950's, it was common for teachers to give their children an annual hearing test. However, in Mary's case, in addition to her cleft palate, she was barely able to hear out of one ear. Determined not to let the other children have another "difference" to point out, she would cheat on the test each year. The "whisper test" was given by having a child walk to the classroom door, turn sideways, close one ear with a finger, and then repeat something which the teacher whispered. Mary turned her bad ear towards her teacher and pretended to cover her good ear. She knew that teachers would often say things like, "The sky is blue," or "What color are your shoes?" But not on that day. Surely, God put seven words in Mrs. Leonard's mouth that changed Mary's life forever. When the "Whisper test" came, Mary heard the words: "I wish you were my little girl."

Dads, I wish there was some way that I could communicate to you the incredible blessing which affirming words impart to children. I wish, too, that you could sit in my office, when I counsel, and hear the terrible damage that individuals received from not hearing affirming words -- particularly affirming words from a father. While words from a godly teacher can melt a heart, words from a father can powerfully set the course of a life.

If affirming words were something rarely spoken in your home growing up, let me give you some tips on words and phrases that can brighten your own child's eyes and life. These words are easy to say to any child who comes into your life. I'm proud of you, Way to go, Bingo ... you did it, Magnificent, I knew you could do it, What a good helper, You're very special to me, I trust you, What a treasure, Hurray for you, Beautiful work, You're a real trooper, Well done, That's so creative, You make my day, You're a joy, Give me a big hug, You're such a good listener, You figured it out, I love you, You're so responsible, You remembered, You're the best, You sure tried hard, I've got to hand it to you, I couldn't be prouder of you, You light up my day, I'm praying for you, You're wonderful, I'm behind you, You're so kind to your (brother/sister), You're God's special gift, I'm here for you. 


Learning together to affirm those in our lives...
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Dr. Russ

    Love God with all your heart, soul, mind and strength.
             ~Jesus Christ

    Archives

    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015

    Categories

    All
    Affirmation
    Anger
    Battle
    Character
    Choose
    Christmas
    Comfort
    Compassion
    Complacency
    Confidence
    Courage
    Discernment
    Discipleship
    Easter
    Encouragement
    Envy
    Evidence
    Failure
    Faith
    Faithfulness
    Father
    Fear
    Fellowship
    Focus
    Forgiveness
    Freedom
    Friendship
    Fruit Of The Spirit
    Gentleness
    God Characteristics
    God-Characteristics
    God's Word
    Grace
    Gratitude
    Holy Spirit
    Hope
    Jealousy
    Joy
    Justice
    Kindness
    Leadership
    Light
    Listening
    Love
    Mercy
    Mission
    Money
    Names
    Obedience
    Peace
    Perserverance
    Power
    Prayer
    Prepare
    Priorities
    Promises
    Provision
    Purpose
    Redemption
    Reflect
    Rejoice
    Relationship
    Remember
    Rest
    Sacrifice
    Sanctification
    Security
    Sowing And Reaping
    Strength
    Stress
    Success
    Surrender
    Temptation
    Thankfulness
    Thoughts
    Transformation
    Trials
    Trust
    Truth
    Waiting
    Wisdom
    Worry
    Worship

    RSS Feed

Friendship Ministries Foundation | PO Box 55 | Devon, PA 19333 | (610) 430-6630