Sometimes it’s not just the words.

It’s the timing of those words

The tone

The hug that accompanies them

The source they come from

That brings you to tears.

Good tears.

Most times you don’t even see it coming.

You didn’t even know that you needed those healing words.

But when the tears flow and you feel a sense of refreshment after, you know your soul had been holding its breath for this type of air.

You know what I mean?

A couple of days ago, my precious friend Ruth walked up to me, hugged me and whispered into my ear such genuine and gentle words of encouragement that I fell apart at the seams.

Encouragement from this sweet woman is a weekly occurrence, so I was surprised by my tears.

Until I realized…

The words she spoke were sent directly from heaven.

She was the beautiful vessel that administered that verbal salve, but the source was Jesus Himself.

She had no way of knowing the specific words that my soul needed to hear.

To be honest, I didn’t even know.

But the Father that knows me better than I know myself? He knew.

Ruth, ever sensitive to God’s tap on her shoulder, touched a heart with heaven’s message, even though she was unaware of the exact reason.

She just did what Jesus prompted her to do.

Are you and I doing the same?

We all know words are powerful.

But when they are wrapped in the supernatural wisdom and intimate understanding of God, their impact increases exponentially.

When they are prompted by the Holy Spirit, our spiritual guidance counselor, they can touch and warm places in a person’s heart that have long been forgotten, left cold in the storms of life.

Those same words can lift the blinds of a discouraged soul and let the light of hope back in.

Someone will cross your path today. My path.

Someone who needs your words and mine, or more accurately, God’s words spoken through you and me.

Let’s pray about it as our day starts and watch for the opportunities.

You will be astounded at what God can do when we give Him our words in exchange for His own.

And someone’s day will be a little better than they ever expected….

Ephesians 4:29 – Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Proverbs 16:24 – Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 15:4 – Gentle words are a tree of life…