“They longed for me to speak as people long for rain. They drank my words like a refreshing spring rain” (Job 29:23, NLT).
Did you know that your words can be like refreshing spring rain to someone in need? So this verse from Job instructs us. I know that I sure have experienced this truth. Yesterday, I was remembering a moment in my life from long ago when I did so. It happened going on thirty years ago, when I was a teenager living in Tucson, AZ. It sticks out in my memory as a living example of this expression of Job’s.
The backstory of that moment is that I am a typical firstborn. I have tended to put a lot of pressure on myself to be the best that I can be. Over the years, my Abba has patiently worked with me, teaching me not to beat myself up for perceived imperfection in myself. However, when I was a teen, I had not learned much yet in that regard. I was often quite intense with the expectations I put on myself.
During that season of my life, there was a brother at my church named Craig. He did not know me very well. In fact, in all the years we went to the same church, I only remember a single, brief conversation with him. It’s the one that comes into our story today. One day, he looked at me and said, “I believe that God wants to tell you not to be so hard on yourself.” I remember the grace and kindness that I could see in his eyes when he shared this. That was pretty much the whole conversation. He said nothing more, and neither did I.
But his words went right into my heart. They resonated beautifully as being a true message from God for me. They were a refreshing drink of water. I drank them in, and Holy Spirit began to work in my heart through them.
I don’t know what became of Craig, but all these years later I still remember what he said to me. I also remember the way the moment felt. I remember the impact just one sentence spoken with the love of the Father had on my heart.
A kind word shared in His name… what power it releases for good! Remember that today, as you move through the interactions before you. One sentence with the breath of God on it can mark someone for life. Never underestimate the impact you might be having on someone in the next twenty-four hours, simply by following the gentle nudges of the Holy Spirit to speak His truth in love. The words from your mouth may just be the refreshing drink they were thirsting for.
“Why, anyone just giving you a cup of water in my name… Count on it that God will notice” (Mark 9:41, MSG).
“For whoever gives you a cup of water to drink in My name, because you belong to Christ, assuredly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward” (Mark 9:41, NKJV).
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Do you have a specific memory from years ago, of a kind word that left an indelible mark on your heart?
Feeding On Jesus 
I was invited to a youth group on a Friday night as a teenager (some 50 years ago). I had never been to a church before. There were small groups and one of the issues we discussed in my group was what we thought we would do if we were given the wrong change at the checkout and what we thought Jesus would do. I scoffed and said nobody thought such things – I certainly didn’t. The group leader looked at me with such sadness and love in his eyes and he said ‘I just think that’s so sad.” That’s all. In the following weeks I watched him and later his example led me to give my life to Christ. I lost touch with him over the years but about 40 years later God brought us together again and I was able to remind him of the conversation (which he had forgotten) and tell him it was those words that planted the seed for my walk with Christ. I am so pleased I was able to thank him. He had no idea what effect his words had had on me. God uses the smallest things to build His kingdom!
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Wowwww, Mandy, that gives me chills in such a beautiful way! Holy Spirit immediately whispers to my heart that in eternity we will find out about SO many things like this that we never had any idea He used us to impact others along the pathways of our lives. How unspeakably precious! I am blessed beyond expression by you sharing this, thank you with all my heart!
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Hello Jennifer, I have only just seen your reply to my comment now. We never know when a spoken word or a whispered prayer will change someone’s life. And it may only be in eternity that we find out. That’s an exciting thought. Imagine the unknown people we will meet whose lives God used us to draw close to Him without us even realising! And the people like you and me and all those who have come to know us through our writing as we meet one day in heaven!! The future is full of hope! I pray you are feeling better, my sister in Christ ☺ God bless you and your family
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Yes! That thought gives me such joy! The Lord has spoken to my heart deeply about how amazing that day is going to be. “Full of hope” is absolutely right, my dear sister! And thank you, I am finally beginning to feel myself again 🙂
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In my entire life nobody touched my heart just saying something that would have transformed me but thanks to almighty that I learned my lessons through my search.
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Wow and amen. “Seek, and you will find,” He says! How beautiful that you sought for Him even without anyone speaking that word to you!
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Thanks for your precious words.
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You are truly welcome, Avran. God is with you!
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I remember one teacher from long, long ago told me I had a gift of story telling.
You can bless others if you speak and write ONLY words of blessing, KINDNESS and love., he said. No once else seemed to know I was present in the class., in those long ago days.
Thank you Jennifer, your blog is a blog in that vein. God’s Word was His Plan that words of Kindness will resonate eternally. Thank you for reminding us.
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Wow, what a special teacher that one was! I’m with you, I was so quiet, I didn’t get noticed much either. But I am so glad that that special teacher saw you and saw right to your heart!
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This is so good! ❤️
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Aw thank you, my sister!
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This is what I am currently going through. 🥺 Despite the fact that my parents weren’t forcing me to move out because I am already an adult, still I put so much pressure on myself. Knowing the fact that I, myself will be turning 27 this year force myself to work badly that sometimes I even failed to enjoy the little things about life. You see, it is easy to say that…know that God is watching you and all your sacrifices will be paid off. I am just so afraid and worried that I might appear to be just chilling or becoming lazy for Him. So tried really hard that I become worn-out. And I grateful for today that I was be able to read your work. ❤️ It gives so much comfort to me inside after reading your work. Really thanks to you! 😭❤️🙏
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Aw, Zandra, I am so very glad this ministered to your heart! Thank You Jesus! Thank You Holy Spirit! 💖🤗
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You’re such a blessings to many. 😇 Thank you, Jesus indeed!❤
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😊💗😊
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Yes in my office. I was given a very tough job. I was very nervous not so confident. But one my colleague said ” Veena you can do it “. I just went with the flow successfully. I am very thankful to him.
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Wow, that is incredibly meaningful, Veena. I thank you so much for sharing such an uplifting and unforgettable experience of the power of kind words!
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Amen!! Jennifer that moved me to tears with my heartfelt prayer to be attuned and obedient to speak and write the words that Father God wants to speak into the lives around me. May we hear His voice and be His voice to those He gives to us. x ❤
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Ha-le-lu-JAH!! AMEN and AMEN to that prayer! Yes Father, may it be… sensitize our hearts to Your voice and leading to encourage others with our words and the fruit of our lips!
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Sometimes we can get caught thinking what we do isn’t “big enough” or “helpful enough, but what you’ve said here rings true. When we receive God’s grace, and pass that on to others through kindness, we can make more of a difference than we could ever imagine. 😊
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Yes! Exactly! What we often think of as “small” is so big in God”s eyes!
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