Pr. 17, 18 [The Message]

Your words have the power to kill or give life. What will it be?

One of my greatest joys in life has been to encourage children. I’ve yet to meet a pre-schooler who doesn’t light up when you call them, “Big boy … big girl.” It’s like hitting paydirt when you get them to smile. When they excel at a task, commending them could possibly be setting them up for a lifetime of success.

My son-in-law often recalls how I complimented him on his basketball shot when he was in elementary school. Those words stuck with him, and he thereafter had the reputation as a deadly 3-point shooter.

My wife is a great cook. She would have far less motivation to create delicious meals if her husband was a critical complainer.

Remember what Thumper said.