“I love to watch you play.” These were the words my parents spoke to me throughout my many athletic endeavors. I was a 3-sport athlete for much of my life, played college basketball at Moody Bible Institute, and dabbled in other sports as well. I love competition and sports and working hard. And I believe that I stayed loving sports and working hard because my parents spoke life-giving words over me no matter how I played. As an athlete, I would beat myself up when I didn’t have a great game, but the fact that my parents didn’t beat me up with their words made a world of difference. They didn’t see me through the lens of “athlete” or “performance”, but rather as their kid with whom they were well-pleased.  

Their words were life-giving, encouraging, and comforting to me. I knew that I would not lose the approval or love of my parents, even for one second, because of how they handled our interactions pre- and post-game. It was a gift. 

Our words have the power of life and death. I’m sure you can think of a situation where someone’s words cut you to the core or lifted you higher than the clouds. I am also sure that you can think of a time when maybe your words cut someone to the core or lifted them up. We have a great responsibility as believers to be the example of speaking words that are life-giving. And honestly, I think it begins with ourselves. In Scripture, there are plenty of instances where we are told who we are, yet we can’t seem to believe some of the things that God says we are. 

Known: (Jeremiah 29:11) 

Renewed: (2 Corinthians 5:17) 

Beloved: (Colossians 3:12) 

Beautiful: (1 Peter 3:3 - 4) 

Wonderful: (Psalm 139) 

Image-bearers: (Genesis 1:27) 

Courageous: (2 Timothy 1:7) 

Worthy: (Matthew 6:25 - 34) 

As you may have noticed, this world is unforgiving because it’s broken and sinful. Maybe you grew up under the pressures of an unforgiving home. A home that lacked encouragement, kindness, and life-giving interactions. But there is good news. And the good news is that, because of the cross, we don’t have to stay under the weight of words that others say to us that are unkind. We GET the opportunity to be different because of Christ and we don’t want to miss opportunities to speak life over someone else.  

My encouragement and challenge to you is to start conscientiously thinking about what words you say to those closest to you. Have they been sharp? Start practicing being softer, maybe kinder, and watch how their lives transform. Have a kid in a sport, musical, artistic endeavor, etc.? If your natural bent is to be critical, practice telling them you just love to watch them play, dance, sing, or paint. If you struggle with speaking life over yourself, crack open the Word and look for the places that tell you whose and who you are because they are written in a book that is living, active, and ultimate truth. You aren’t alone and we all need life spoken over us. 

So today, Lord, we pray our words are seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6) so that we might bring life, rather than death. So that we may preserve rather than tear down. And so that we can glorify you and be a witness, not only to our own families, but to those around us and even to ourselves. Amen. 

Our theme for April is "life-giving"! This is so fitting - both because spring is (finally) here, but also because of Jesus' resurrection! May His life-filled presence continue to fill us all year long.