One Step At A Time

The effects of a smile are considered so powerful that even when used over the telephone it produces positive results. (Smile not laughter ???). Smiles have been seen to brighten the darkest moments and weaken the hardest vices yet there's something that works more powerfully than a smile...


Neighbor: 'My love, my sweetheart, my darling, how are you doing today? I'll help you fix your bulb sometime in the evening, for now I'm a bit busy.'

Me: 'Thanks for the bulb, I really appreciate your kindness, but please stop calling me all those names I'm not finding it funny. I may have to cause a scene one day if you don't stop.'

Neighbor: '...but my love, I don't mean any harm. You're such a special person and a darling.'

Me: 'I know, but those words have more gravity than that and shouldn't be used flippantly. What do you want the hearer's to think. They'll surely think something is going on between us. Please don't refer to me like that again...'"

So has my disposition been towards such sweet words. Then I got into a work environment where everyone seems to say nothing else but those words; Darling, sweetheart, dearest, love etc etc etc. It didn't stop there. Even on facebook and blogsville, I see these words sprawled everywhere irrespective of which sex it is being addressed to.

I had to stop and ponder this situation very well.

"He who gives a right answer kisses the lips." Prov 24:26

In an attempt to practice, I realized that just saying the words make your heart feel empathy towards the other person. Most people to whom such nice words are said, immediately return the empathy. This may just be the nicest thing they've heard in a very long time. Needless to say how productive the results can be.

Still prodding into the subject I find God's own say.

"Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones." (Prov 16:24)

What happiness sweet words can instill in another person. So much so that they get healthier. Hmmm. Little wonder destructive words can kill a person, first inside and then outside.

Armed with this knowledge I have changed my orientation. Beware, the next time I meet you or send you an email, you may be overwhelmed with profuse pleasantries.

What better word is there to speak to your friends, colleagues, husband/wife, neighbors or enemies than the word of God itself that gives life.

"Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer every man" (Col. 4:6)