What are you saying?

Words are powerful

Words impact & influence others 

Words make a difference

My photo album journey resulting in dozens of completed albums, a home based business and a multitude of friends began with these words from my sister, Caroline –“You’ve got to start an album” and “Here is the number of this awesome scrapbooking company…call them!” (this was a demand not a suggestion – gotta love “big” sisters!)

“You have to read this book!” exclaimed two friends and former students, Deanne & Mindy as I stood out in the front yard chatting with them.  Their enthusiasm was so sincere that I went out & bought the series they recommended & it set me on a path of reading fabulous Christian works that have been life changing.

The vision and dream for Jim Elliot Christian High School had its roots in a question from a dear friend, Carrie –  “Have you ever considered starting a school?”

“My wife would love to be in a homeschool co-op – you should call her!” said Doug, the man who was installing our kitchen cabinets and so began our Cornerstone Co-op Academy (which had been etched in my mind years earlier when a CM friend in Florida said “Do you want to come with us today to our homeschool co-op?”)

“Do you trust God?”, “Who is in control of your life?”, “Have you prayed and asked God how many He wants you to have?” came as both a powerful message to a group of engaged couples and as a still small voice and resulted in the greatest blessing of our lives – the 6 princesses & the knight!

A dozen emails that said “You would be great at speaking to and motivating women” launched a season of speaking & traveling throughout the country (and the “You should write a book” words still remain in the “in box” of my brain waiting for action)

A dear friend Christina, proclaimed emphatically – “You need to check out this Mommy Life blog site because this woman reminds me of you!” – and I was providentially introduced to the world of blogging by a “soul sister” in cyberspace. (who I have yet to meet but feel connected to through her blogging)

“We should go on this missions trip to Mexico and help build houses for the poor”  urged the Kirchners and thus our experience in family missions began with Club Dust.

“You can find a way to be home with your kids full time” proclaimed a radio talk show host giving me just the support, encouragement & backbone I needed to leave the 9 to 5 world of working women.

“They have a baby who is waiting to be adopted and I thought of you.” were words spoken recently through the telephone from a dear life long friend, Becky and has set us on the road towards the hope of being blessed with another baby boy!

I could go on & on sharing words that have been spoken and have impacted, influenced & made a powerful difference in my life.  In the same way many of us have been negatively affected by words as well.  We have had things said to us that have damaged our hearts and minds, held us back from accomplishing something great or discouraged and derailed us.  Often those sentences begin with…

• You shouldn’t…
• You can’t…
• Why would you?
• No one will…
• You are not __________ enough!

Just as positive words & encouragement can make a life changing difference to others…..so can negative and discouraging words.  According to a recent study we all speak approximately 16,000 words a day. 16,000!! That means we all have many opportunities to speak positive, uplifting, encouraging, motivating, inspiring and challenging words to others that may perhaps be life changing.  We, of course have the same opportunity to speak neutral or negative words that discourage, drain, dampen, or depress others.  The Bible says in Proverbs 18:21 – Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose. 

What are you saying to others today?  Let’s choose to be people whose words bring life – support, encouragement, inspiration, motivation as well as challenging and influencing others in a positive direction!