"I think you look pretty both ways," she said slowly.
Her comment slightly threw me for a moment. She was typically not as expressive or communicative as my other students. I usually could not read whether she even enjoyed her lessons or held any affection towards me. Her simple words lightened the doubt and weariness I had carried since my alarm clock woke me this morning.
The impact of words. We spend years trying to undo the damage caused by hateful, careless words flung in our direction, then more years trying not to let our self-confidence hinge on others' appraising words.
But they do make a difference. Sometimes I devour people's kind words as a hungry person devours food---not the empty, flattering type of words, but the sincere, affirming ones. I have felt words comfort me, help me see myself differently, encourage me to go home and practice music when I'd decided I had nothing to offer. Words have power---power to be like "apples of gold in settings of silver" (Proverbs 25:11), water to a thirsting traveler, soothing ointment on broken skin. Words can bring unexpected nourishment, push someone closer to dreams, or bring out potential that was not even visible.
Or words can break.
Words can convince a person he is worthless, unloved,
and never capable of being loved.
Words can influence someone to quit trying even when he is almost to the finish line.
Words can place more blame on a person than is his to carry.
Words can drive a person deeper into darkness or wrap him in blankets of shame.
And when a person hears more words that break than words that heal, believing those life-giving words does not always come easily---
which is why we all need more words like apples of gold,
to receive and to give.
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