Bless Your Loved Ones With Great-Filled Words This Holiday

I struggle sometimes with wanting my words to ‘matter’, yet they do matter, possibly most to those closest to me – the ones I am not even aware I am speaking to.

And, let’s be honest, the way I measure the import of my words is probably social media ‘likes‘ or ‘shares‘. The more likes the more the words matter.

Not. Always. True.

The most important words you and I ever share will probably never be published on any social media channel. They are the words we speak every day to those we love. 

The small little things we say – our greetings – the simple ‘hello’s’ – our dinner conversations – our lectures (we’re being honest!) – our complaining – our advice giving – our day in and day out words we hand out, often with little thought to their effect.

I tend to look at words as tools.

I expect to wield them together for distinctive purposes. I expect words to work for me.

• I use them to instruct.
• I use them to get things done – “Do the dishes.” 
• I use them to speed things up – “Let’s get going. Now!”.
• I use them to organize myself, as in ‘to-do’ lists.
• I use them in text messages to remind others – “Pick you up at 3:00p.m., sharp.”
  

But, rarely do I think of words as gifts.

Words bring life and death, simply. They have impact.

Like a gift, words are opened up, unwrapped; perhaps cautiously without ripping the gift wrap – or, maybe our people rip and tear with glee just to get to the gift inside.

The way our words are received, whether with great joy or with hesitant anticipation – might have something to do with the type of words we have given in the past.

Thinking of your people – your loved ones – what type of words have you given them? Were they carefully chosen words to uplift? Maybe, you’ve even given those artful décor letters people use to grace their mantels, with words like: ‘Joy’, ‘Laughter’, ‘Love’. Letters carved in large blocks of wood using attractive font lettering and painted just right.

Or, if you’re like me, you may have given some lengthy words, too long to grace the mantel; words my daughter’s call ‘lectures’. I prefer ‘wise counsel’. Those words may not have been so sweet; some of them may have even caused a choking reaction.

Seeing words as a gift – puts them in perspective – proper place.

Words matter. They matter to the one who receives them. They may only be given to one – but that one matters most to me.

Today, I’m liking the thought of using my words this holiday season as a gift.

 

I’m wondering, practically how I can ‘gift’ some words to my family this Thanksgiving?

Would I offer them, perhaps, a letter – individually penned, written just for them, a letter of thanks for who they are and what they mean to me? Or, should I offer them one word – my prayer for them for the upcoming year? A word, maybe in wood block letters, to put on their mantel and remind them that I care and I pray for them.

I’m thinking of using various ways to share some gratefulness – to give ‘great-filled’ words to let my loved ones know how much they mean to me! In the same way we serve up healthy and satisfying suppers for our loved ones – may you and I serve up words that nourish.

• Words that feed our loved ones what they mean to us.
• Words that speak life into the deep places in their soul.
• Words that speak grace and healing over hurts.
• Words that offer second chances – hope.
• Words that tell them they are beloved to us and to God.

May you and I give sweet and nourishing words to our loved ones this holiday.

 Linking up with: Deb’s Faith’nFriends, Holley’s CoffeeformyHeart, #thisdaygodsway, Lyli’s ThoughtProvokingthursdays