I don’t know that I’ve ever shared that during my undergrad years, I coached at my old high school for three years. I coached freshman basketball, freshman soccer and track.

One of the girls on my track team was a sweetheart and I could see that she needed encouragement throughout the season. I wasn’t a runner and couldn’t lead by example but only with words.

She consistently put forth the effort and I just wanted her to believe in herself. She has always held a special place in my heart. At the end of the season, I received a note from her mom (that I still have). What her mom didn’t know is that I was like her daughter, a young woman myself who needed encouragement and her note did just that, lifted me up to believe I had value.

I learned this morning that the mom has passed way. Although I haven’t seen her in a long time, her words of encouragement always remained with me.

I share this today because words are powerful and stick with people. The good and the bad.

I invite you to join me today to…

pause. breathe. pray.

May we ask God to release us from any of the negative words that have stuck to us. May we be sure to give thanks to the people who spoke life into us. And may we be the ones who choose to speak life and truth into others. There is a lot out of our control, yet our words are something we can control. May we use them wisely and purposefully as they may stick with people for life, like this mom’s encouraging words have stuck with me.

With care and hope,
Shawn