A Word Fitly Spoken

"Dr. Waldron, do you remember what you said to me the first time I came in to see you?"  The lady sitting across from me asked.

I tried to think back to something I might have said, but nothing popped into my head.  I have so many conversations with people every day (and probably talk a little too much) that I often don't remember specific things I say.

"No, I'm sorry I don't remember," I told her.

"I think I was telling you about some shoulder pain I was having and you said 'Now remember, you've never been as old before as you are today!'"

It does sound like the sort of thing I would say and the sort of statement you might find in a fortune cookie too, but I still didn't remember it.  It still strikes me how the words we say make impacts on other people.

There have been many times in the last few weeks where people shared with me things that I said to them when they were going through dark times that helped them. 

It is easy to believe that only actions are important and that words are relatively unimportant in life.  And yet, with words we can encourage another, add humor to lift someone's spirit, or even share areas in someone's life that need changing for the better.  Of course, on the other hand, those same words can tear down.

Each day, we have opportunities to touch other people's lives and hearts.  We may not remember the things we say for long, but others may still be carrying those words, for good or for ill, for many years into the future.

Let us always speak them for the good of others.

"A word fitly spoke is like apples of gold in a setting of silver."  (Proverbs 25:11)