Ephesians 4:29 (New International Version)
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,
but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that
it may benefit those who listen.
In "Today in the Word" it is reported that,
"Dr. Howard Hendricks of Dallas Theological Seminary says he can remember
only two of his childhood school teachers; his fifth and sixth grade teachers.
He had a reputation for causing trouble in the classroom. His fifth grade
teacher dealt with him by tying him to his seat and wrapping mucilage paper
over his mouth.
"Finally, Dr. Hendricks reports, he was promoted to
the sixth grade. His teacher was 6'4" tall, 'a feminine version of
Sherlock Holmes.' As he walked into her class she said, 'Oh, you're Howard Hendricks.
I've heard a lot about you.' But then she added, 'But I don't believe a word of
it!'
"She convinced him that she had confidence in him,
and Dr. Hendricks recalls that he knocked himself out to please her."
Every child and every adult -- including the elderly —
need lots of positive affirmation and encouragement. Everyone needs someone to
believe in and love him/her ... without which we can shrivel up and die inside.
Dear Lord we pray that we would be the encouragement to
everyone we come into contact with. We pray that we would focus on the positive
things rather than the negative. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
This happened to a friend of mine as well. Every teacher put her down until she went to college, and thanks to their positive encouragement she has never failed to get top marks.
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