Have you ever really thought about the words that come out of your mouth? How often to we greet someone with the (usually) meaningless question, "how are you?"
I have had people come up to me, big smile across their face, shake my hand or hug me and say, "how are you?" If they haven't already moved on to the next person they have their eye on, I will look at them and ask, "do you really want to know?" Sometimes I get an answer; sometimes I don't.
If someone honestly wants to know how I am at that time, I will tell them HONESTLY how I am. Of course if it is a stressful day, I won't give details I will simply respond, "stressed".
People have told me, "well, people really don't care how you are....it's just a greeting." Okay, so if one genuinely does NOT care how I am...why not just shake my hand or hug me and say, "I hope your day is going well." THAT would encourage me.
We need to seriously consider our "caring" for others. Yes, I know that Jesus is the only One who truly cares for us, but sometimes taking that extra 10 minutes or so in our (and their) busy life will bless and encourage someone.
Next time you greet someone, try to come up with something encouraging to say. Take a few minutes of your time to listen and truly brighten some one's day. You may be the only encouragement they receive that day (or even that week).
Be Blessed and Stay Strong in Him!
~~Lariann
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2 comments:
That is a great thought. We often ask "how are you" and are not really expecting an answer, or if we do get an answer, we are expecting the usual, GOOD"! This is a great challenge to all of us to really care about what we say to each other and follow through. For example, how often do we say, "I'll be praying for you", do we really follow through, or do we forget within the business of the day. Great thoughts Lariann, I am going to purpose in my heart to really care about what I say and to mean what I say!
Thanks for sharing here, Christina:) I know what you mean about saying you will pray for someone. I will either say, "I will pray for you as God brings you to mind" or I will simply stop and pray with the person right then and there when the request is shared so that I don't forget.
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