Earlier in the year, I bought a box of greeting cards from Amazon. I love them! They are excellent quality and display uplifting quotes and Scriptures on the front cover. My goal was to send a handwritten card at least once a month to someone who crossed my mind. I felt it would be an inexpensive and meaningful way to remind the people I love that I was thinking about them. But now, as I consider the idea, it may be more than that.
Whether written or spoken, words matter. We remember the words of those who believed in us and those who didn’t. That well-known rhyme: sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me is a lie; because words do hurt. They cut, and they linger long enough to influence how we think about ourselves. Unfortunately, it’s often the words that prompt us to believe that we are not good enough that remain the longest. They find dwelling places in our hearts and stifle our self-image.
Words have the ability to silence our truths and make us feel undeserving. But they also have the power to build us up and remind us that we are worthy.
It’s almost March, and that white box of cards is sitting on my desk, and not a single care is missing. The stamps I purchased are untouched. It may be because I hadn’t considered that this small act of kindness was valued beyond the price of the cards. Or maybe in the busyness, I lost sight of the worth of my words and the impact they could have on the direction of someone’s day or perhaps even the course of their life. With my words, I am capable of deliberately influencing those within my circles.
What are you doing with your words?
I’m sure there is someone in your circle that would appreciate your affirming words. Words can hurt, but they also can heal. Write a note, send a text, pick up the phone, turn on Skype, or FaceTime, and use your words well.
The next thing I’ll do after I finish this post is to pull out my box of cards. It may take me a while to figure out who I will mail a card to this time around. I may have to sit for a while and decide what I want to write. But I hope that when it is received, it is a reminder to them they are seen and loved.
It’s not just a card. It’s a commitment to use my words well.
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