Sunday, May 29, 2011

Speaking Blessings

On the way to church this morning, I was listening to The Brian Mason show. Brian was interviewing Michael W. Smith about his new CD, book, etc. When asked about his new book, he said that it was a collection of blessings. He told the story of being on a boat with several teens and speaking a blessing into their lives. Over 1,000 copies of this blessing were made & distributed to those involved. He made the comment that people rarely have blessings spoken over them. Most of the time it is discouragement, curses, name calling, or anything else negative.

Then at church, I began speaking to our piano player, Sam, who is by all accounts, awesome. He asked me if I played an instrument to which I said, "Uhhh...I played the flute once upon a time, but quit because of my band director." But I went on and told him about my amazing choral teacher, Mrs. Riggs, who ended up being one of the most influential people/educators in my life.

The moral of this story? Anytime that you are in the position of leadership or any semblance of "power", YOU have the opportunity to speak BLESSING into someone's life! Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue..." You can either build someone up or tear them down. If someone continuously tears you down, it does not mean that you should return the "favor". Be different. Be better. Be a blessing into someone's life.