Words are powerful things – and words forged into encouragement produce remarkable results.
I think that’s why I’ve always wanted to provide positive influences into my kids lives through words. I’m not saying that we don’t have hard conversations, that I don’t lose my temper, or that I fail to use ‘no’ or ‘wrong’ in my vocabulary, I’m simply stating that the power of encouragement soaks deep in children.
Can you think of someone who spoke into your life at an early age? Someone you respected who took the time to help rustle your dreams to life?
I do.
I’ve mentioned before about the influence my Granny Spencer has had on my life and writing. She exuded a gentle charm, kind of like a welcome fire on a chilly night complete with a cup of hot chocolate. Just sitting by her brought a comfort and warmth all the way through your skin to your heart. She had the ability to draw stories out of people and spark your thinker without you even knowing.
When I was almost ten, she bought me a second-hand type writer because she said “A writer needs one.” WRITER. That’s what she called me. She spoke into my dream and breathed another breath of life into it.
When I started middle school, I was not only introduced to a new school and new kids, but I met a new teacher. Mrs. Utt. From the first class with her to my last, she encouraged my love for writing by constantly urging me to stretch myself. She believed in me. She told me “I plan to see your books in the bookstore some day.” And another breath of life swelled my little dream.
There are others who, in large quantities or small, breathed into this dream to bring it to life – and it took a lot of breathing, because there were years when all that kept this dream alive was the faith of others and the raw belief that God wanted this dream to come true one day.
But it took a whole lot more than me. It took others taking time to not only to look, but SEE a gift and then use words to give that encouragement power.
Have you done this for a child? Have you had someone in your childhood breathe a dream to life in you?
i know this to be true because my experience was the opposite, i had someone else’s dream / idea of success shoved down my throat. and the subsequent declaration that i was a failure for not achieving it. Father God, though, never took MY passion and dream from me, and connected me with people who called out my gift, my calling, my purpose. and now i’m watching it unfold in my life. bittersweet but oh, so glorious!
So true. That’s why I felt privileged to teach young children for 30 years. One of my kindergarten boys became a mayor of our town.