Proverbs 25:11 – A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. (KJV)

Proverbs 12:25 – Anxiety in a man's heart weighs him down, but a good word makes him glad. (ESV)

Years ago, after I had injured my ankle, I went to the doctor's office to pick up my new ankle brace. After receiving it, I took it back to my car to try on. I was quite discouraged when I realized that I had been given the wrong size of brace.

I put on my shoe and limped back to the doctor's waiting room, where I explained everything to the receptionist. She told me that I'd need to wait until the doctor was finished with his next patient.

I decided to go back to my car to wait, and soon turned on the radio.

Joyce Meyers was sharing a story about a time when she had been in an airport waiting for her luggage. She didn't want to draw any attention to herself. But soon, she noticed a woman staring at her, so she quickly looked away. A little later, she discovered herself now staring at the woman. Finally, she got up the nerve to go over to the woman and explain that she was staring because she thought that she was so beautiful, and she just wanted to let her know that.

The woman said that she was going through such hard trials in life. She mentioned that she was even contemplating suicide.

After hearing the woman's story, Joyce wondered if her kind words to her may have given the woman the strength that she needed to go on.

Joyce then asked the audience, "How often do you have a kind word or a compliment for someone, and you don't share it?"

I was called back into the doctor's office to pick up my new brace, this time with the correct size.

As the receptionist handed it to me, I thanked her, and I said something like this: "You know, I'm really glad that I got the wrong size brace, because when I talked to you before, I thought that you had the most beautiful, bright, sparkling eyes that I have ever seen! And I'm so sorry that I didn't tell you this before!" She smiled and thanked me, and as I walked to the door, a very handsome young man jumped up from his seat, and thanked me for being so brave and having the courage to tell her that. In fact, he said, he thought the exact same thing when he saw her. He also regretted not telling her sooner and said that he never wanted to do that again.

I left with a smile on my heart as he stood there telling the receptionist how beautiful her eyes were!

Proverbs 16:24 – Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. (KJV)

How quick are you to offer someone a kind word or compliment?

Prayer: Dear heavenly Father, You alone know the secret hurts on the hearts and minds of those with whom we may come in contact each day. May Your Holy Spirit give us words of encouragement to share boldly with those whom we meet along our path. Thank You, also, for putting people in our lives who have said something that lifted our spirits in our times of need. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.

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About the author:

Rosemary Bruton <roseborn2@aol.com>
LaGrange, Ohio, USA
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