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Listen while you read: "Holy Spirit Hear Us"1
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When my husband and I volunteered at the Youth With a Mission (YWAM) base in Kona, Hawaii, a few years ago, we would walk by a huge plumeria tree on the way to work every day. Hundreds of blossoms lay scattered on the sidewalk, and I couldn't resist picking up several of them at a time before they were trampled underfoot. Their exquisite, waxy perfection would last all day. No wonder hula dancers wear them in their hair, tucked behind an ear.
I soon got the idea of blessing others with them. I would leave blossoms in the booth where I admitted vehicles at the main gate, for the next shift worker to admire. In quiet moments in the booth, I even strung them on dental floss and suspended them near the window to sway in the breeze. Some blossoms graced the counter at the outdoor hospitality centre, and some were added to the buffet table, along with the inspirational quote that was often displayed there.
Proverbs 16:24 – Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. (NRSVA)
Even better than sharing blossoms is sharing pleasant words. Sincerely saying "God bless you" to others is really a prayer spoken over them, bringing health to body and soul. We speak pleasant words when we wish someone a happy birthday by card, phone call, or text, on Facebook, or by singing to them.
Proverbs 25:11 – Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken at the right time. (AMP)
At a family gathering the other day, I listened carefully as a great-grandmother, whom we hadn't seen for a while, spoke with such love to each great-grandchild who approached her. She heaped encouraging words on them and talked freely about making Jesus a part of their everyday lives. I'm sure that I was more inspired and encouraged by her example than the children, who hadn't yet realized the full value of their great-grandmother's words, absorbing them merely by a sort of osmosis.
However, it's easier for me to write pleasant words than to speak them to people face-to-face. When I write, I can take my time, choosing my words, and rearranging them easily if they don't sound quite right. God arranged that a birthday card that I once received was appropriately illustrated with plumeria blossoms. A friend had written her own personal message in it. This reminded me of the importance of speaking pleasant words while a person is still alive. Let's not save those pleasant words for funeral eulogies! People need to hear them during their lifetime.
Colossians 4:6 – Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone. (NLT)
Let's remember the prolific plumeria tree with its beautiful blossoms, and take as our goals to be more focused and intentional in our speech and to remember to sprinkle more liberally pleasant and appropriate words in our conversations.
Prayer: Lord, help us to learn to use inspiring and encouraging words as we speak with others. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.
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About the author:
Alice Burnett <terrencera.burnett@gmail.com>
Red Deer, Alberta, Canada
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Thank you, beautiful!
Lovely devotional Alice.
May it be so, Alice. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Alice, for this inspiring devotional.
Amen Alice. A good word aptly spoken today.
Blessings.
Thank you for your lovely words this morning, Alice. An important reminder to us all. God bless!
Thank you for sharing this encouraging devotional with us today. May God bless to richly! Blessings.
Good morning, Alice
In response to your inspiring devotional, I say, “Blessings on you and yours.”
Thanks for this. I too am better at writing than coming up with the right word to speak. I think I might have a case of Foot in mouth disease.
Alice – what a wealth of experiences you have acquired along the path God laid out for you. Thanks for sharing, particularly with those of us who have not travelled widely.
What a beautiful, uplifting, and very inspiring message you have shared today! Much appreciated.
God bless YOU!
Hi Alice,
That was a beautiful, meaningful devotional. God’s creation is so beautiful and has such rich meaning. Thank you for this devotional.
Dear Alice:
Thank you for your very encouraging words. I totally agree with you . Kind words are sometimes the best medicine we have to make a person feel better.
God bless you dear Alice.
Thank you, Alice, for another special and very mindful devotional today. The work you did with those plumeria blossoms was a very thoughtful way of sharing their beauty with others. Using beautiful words when speaking with others can be very positive to their lives and that is something we need be mindful to do and, as you say, we need say those words while they are still with us and can hear those good words. Blessings for these writings you do.
Dear Alice,
So true that we should be speaking pleasantly and encouragingly to all and also to ourselves. I loved your story of leaving the plumeria flowers for others to enjoy. Very creative and a great idea.
I am growing a plumeria that I got from the CNE a few years ago because of the encouragement of a friend. It is going to bloom this year. I can see the buds forming so I am excited. I am so excited to see its blossoms in August. There are two other in my neighbourhood so I walk by looking to see if they are blooming. Already the one has yellow/white blossoms. Mine is a pink blossom.
I encourage you to continue writing and doing such amazing mission work. It encourages us, the readers, to do more. Blessings.
Thank you, Alice. You are a perfect example of the theme of this devotional. Thank you so much for encouraging us to do the same.