Graceline: Throw encouraging words on others and spread joy in your community

My buddy, Ben, and I have this thing about waiters and waitresses. They probably think we are the nosiest people in the world.

We ask their names. We ask about their families, children, their dreams and aspirations. We are sincerely interested in them because Jesus is interested in them. We seldom leave a restaurant without asking our server if we could serve them by praying for them.

No one has turned us down.

By the time the amen rolls around, there are tears in the eyes of most because they really needed and wanted prayer for something going on in their lives. It’s a win-win-win because we are so blessed and Jesus is delighted, too.

I had breakfast the other morning with another buddy, Mike. Mike shared an experience he had with his family at a local restaurant. When he asked what was good, she said, “Let me show you our new menu. It’s new to me, too, and we will both learn together.”

She described the local favorites and explained several of the dishes. Mike said she was delightful and obviously enjoyed her job.

When she brought the check, Mike said, “I want to thank you for making our visit here much more than just a meal. You made it a delightful experience. Thank you for the blessing.”

Then he signed a copy of his poetry book and gave it to her. She was especially excited Mike had written the book, but the real blessing was the affirmation she received for having blessed Mike’s family with service above and beyond. You can bet that little word of encouragement gave her a boost of energy that lasted past her shift.

Think for a moment how little that compliment cost Mike, yet how priceless that encouragement was to her. He will not remember what he did in a few days, but I bet she will never forget it. People who wait tables rarely find crumbs of exhortation from those they serve, much less a gem like that.

I remember an assignment a teacher gave to class once upon a time. She gave each person a sheet of paper with a name at the top. Then she asked them to write something about the person that was a blessing to them. The sheets were passed around the room until everyone had written something encouraging about everybody in the class. Things were written that are seldom expressed in any form. Things like, “You were kind to me when I was being bullied.” Or, “You have a way of making people feel good about themselves.” And the list went on.

When everyone had finished, each one received his/her blessing list from their classmates and friends. You may think that was nice, but it was more than that. It was a treasure to most.

Through the years, one by one those notes would pop up. One was found dusty and tattered in the boot of a fallen soldier in Afghanistan. One was found in the backpack of a homeless person. One was found in the vault of a self-made millionaire. Most all had kept their priceless little piece of paper until they died. Many pulled it out and read it especially during difficult spells of life. Even then, the words elicited hope and courage to go on.

The greatest good you can do for another person is not just share your riches, but to reveal to your own riches. Most people do not know how special they are. God made each and every one of us very, very special. The devil and the world has worked over time to make sure we don’t know or understand how uniquely gifted and blessed we are. That gift needs to be awakened, dusted off and spread around to a world that desperately needs what God has given you to share.

And not just for them, but for you as well.

You hold the keys that can unlock the treasure God has placed in all of us. A mere word of encouragement, respect, admiration and gratitude can launch people toward their destiny and raise the spiritual water level, not only in your community, but around the world.

Let’s live today with reckless abandon with our MiracleGro mouths. Let’s start complimenting and encouraging people wherever we go. Don’t be afraid to tell them their smile lights up the room. Have the courage to thank your doctor for helping you stay healthy so you can enjoy life rather than endure it.

Don’t ever let RoundUp come out of your mouth and help the devil steal the joy and destroy the life of someone who has had their riches and gifts buried under an avalanche of discouragement and heartbreaks far too long.

“Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit – you choose.” (Proverbs 18:21 MSG)

That goes for the words you speak to and over yourself. Stop belittling yourself. You belong to Jesus, and He doesn’t make junk. Speak life, not death, in everything you say to others and yourself.

This story was originally published November 20, 2015 at 1:12 PM with the headline "Graceline: Throw encouraging words on others and spread joy in your community."