Dave’s Monday Blast – August 28, 2023

Are you challenged at times to find and use kind words? We live in an angry, blasphemous, hate filled world that is intent on creating conflict. Recently I discovered in an old file folder an article that had originated from a newspaper’s obituary. Those last two words affirm how old this article is. Here is what it said: “Services for an affable fix-it man are today.” Instead of focusing on one of the movers and shakers of society (more old terms from the article), the article told the story of a 79 year old appliance repairman who was known for his integrity, character, and unquenchable happiness.

The president of the company for which the man had worked said, “Half of his job was to go to people’s houses and fix the appliances, and the other half was to fix the people. We had a lot of people with problems who requested him by name. He was very jovial, very friendly, and always had a kind word.”

No matter what our job, perhaps the most important work we do as Followers of Christ, is helping and encouraging people, especially by what we say. I am reminded of Micah 6:8: “He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”

The book of Proverbs speaks often of the tongue’s power to hurt or to heal. For example: “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit…A man has joy by the answer of his mouth, and a word spoken in due season, how good is it!” (Proverbs 15:4 & 23).

We will represent Christ today through everything we say. What an honor it would be if we were known as happy people who have a smile and a kind word for everyone. The following poem speaks well to this discussion:

A careless word may kindle strife,
A cruel word may wreck a life;
A timely word may lesson strife,
A loving word may heal and bless.
Anonymous

Kind words are always the right kind.