The Power of Words

I was in the kitchen cleaning up after my husband cooked a wonderful dinner tonight. After giving the kids a bath, he unexpectedly came up behind me while I was at the kitchen sink and said, "Thank you for keeping the house so clean. I know I don't say it very often but I really appreciate it." It felt so good to hear that my husband appreciates what I do, especially since the house is rarely clean. I have been making a bigger effort lately to keep it picked up lately, but it is very difficult with Mason home for the summer and Daiden crawling around getting into everything. It just made me feel so good that he noticed my efforts. The other thing that his words did, other than make me feel good, was they motivated me. Just knowing that he notices when I have picked up the house or cleaned the kitchen motivates me to want to do it more often!


That got me to thinking about how powerful words are. I have been in relationships and situations where words were used to tear down and destroy, and that is exactly what they did. Negative comments, attitudes and rude remarks can make someone feel about two inches tall. When words are used to hurt they can be a terribly dangerous weapon. I have been guilty of doing this myself, I'm sure everyone has been on the giving and receiving end of a sharp tongue and it hurts. I began reflecting on how my words can impact my family. How I can either choose to build them up or tear them down. From experiencing how something as little as a comment on cleaning the house can make me feel, I am beginning to understand a little more what James was talking about when he said, " ³When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." I believe this goes both ways, but the point is still the same, words seem small but they have the power to either destroy or build up. To make someone feel worthless and terrible or extremely appreciated and loved. I am so thankful that my husband realizes this and chooses to build me up.