Few things are as powerful as the right words spoken at the right time. By the same token, words withheld when their season of opportunity is gone, are a heavy burden to live with. Looking back, one relationship expert offers these moving words:
"I remember when I took your new car on the road and wrecked it. I thought you'd be livid and come down hard on me, but you didn't. I remember when we went to the beach and you didn't want to go because you said it was going to rain. We went and it rained. I was sure you'd rub it in and say, 'I told you so!' But you didn't. Then there was the time when I spilled blueberry juice down the front of your new white tux. I knew you'd be upset and blame me. But you didn't. And remember that formal evening? I was mistaken and told you it was casual. You wore blue jeans and felt like a fish out of water. I was sure you would storm out in anger and leave me standing there. But you didn't. I wanted to tell you how much I loved you and how much I appreciated you for all those things when you returned from Vietnam. But you didn't."
Solomon said, "There is… a time to speak" (Ecclesiastes 3:1&7 NKJV). But it's a limited time, and when it's over it's gone. Don't spend your future regretting and carrying inside you the unspoken words someone needed to hear. "Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" (Proverbs 16:24 NIV). Wait no longer, speak!
After reading the excerpt above, I realize that I myself am guilty of withholding words from the people I love and who I hold close to my heart. Often times it's harder to express these types of feelings in comparison to the comfort we find in being quiet and not saying anything at all. But maturity has continued to teach me how important it is to speak up and say what's on your mind. I remember how I felt when I saw the opening quote of this post for the first time, and it never fails to reproduce itself whenever I happen to read it again. In fact, there is nothing better than a simple compliment or even a few words of encouragement. Take some time to reflect and absorb this message so that the next time you're given the opportunity to make a difference in someone's life with a kind statement, you'll know exactly what to say. :)
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