The Power of Words

Yesterday my good friend and publicist Wanda and I drove from western Michigan to Chicago, where I did two radio interviews for the Moody radio network–one for Midday Connection with Anita Lustrea, and one with Chris Fabry Live. The interviews were a delight, and it was a privilege to be on both shows with Anita and Chris in the same day. One interview in particular focused on the power of our talk.

After fighting big-city traffic, we landed back in Grand Rapids exhausted and famished. We stopped at a favorite restaurant to pick up dinner before heading home. As I walked into the restaurant to pick our meal, I noticed a lovely middle-aged woman standing hear the door, chatting with a gentleman who appeared to be her spouse or her date. She was striking–beautiful skin, a gorgeous smile, lovely almond eyes. I glanced at her twice before I turned around.

“You’re really lovely, you know,” I stated. “Just beautiful. Have a wonderful evening.” Then I slipped into the restaurant, picked up our food, and slipped back out.

I don’t know know how long it had been since this woman had heard a compliment. Perhaps she heard them every day. I only knew that it took me two seconds to say something that blessed her, and it cost me nothing. In fact, it felt good.

When I returned to my car a few minutes later, my friend told me that the lady had turned to the gentleman with her with a look of amazement and a smile.

Every day we hold the power to change the world with a look, a tone, a word.

Look for someone today. Then change their world with a few simple words.