When my children were young, I'd stand in the doorway and rest my hand on their head before they left for the school bus and pronounce a blessing. Not quite the same as a prayer - a blessing if a bit more of declaration. "May your day be filled with reminders of how much God loves you." "May you find ways to bring light to your friends today." "May He send His angels to protect you and guard your steps."
Often, I based those blessings on whatever scripture I'd read in my morning quiet time.
Recently, several friends spoke blessings over me.
One said in an email, "I just know that God isn't done with the issue that is on your heart. Don't give up. His answer is on the way." Part prayer for the situation, part declaration of hope, her words helped me.
Another said in a phone conversation, "It's been a season of loss and difficulty, but I believe a season of God's abundance is coming for you. Be strong and tenaciously cling to the truth that He will fulfill His purposes."
While this is a kindness that might be more appropriate for family and friends, I've also looked for ways to speak a blessing to others I encounter. To a lab technician at the medical clinic, I've said, "You are so good at making people feel at ease. I know you're going to be a comfort to many people in your work and make a lot of difference to others."
How about you? Anyone you could speak a blessing over today?
May the Lord bless you and keep you, and make His face shine on you today!
His, Sharon
Showing posts with label Kind Words. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Kind Words. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Monday, September 8, 2008
Day 8 - Slow Down
A few days ago, I was making bookstore visits, stopping in to let the store staff know about my upcoming release, Stepping Into Sunlight.
Store visits can feel a little like sales cold-calls. Not exactly the favorite activity for my an author with my personality type. Thankfully, I was treated warmly each place I stopped.
But a few of the staff that I met really listened when I told them about the book. Their eyes didn't follow each person strolling by. They didn't glance at their watch after ten seconds. They smiled, they nodded . . . they took a moment to slow down and give the gift of attention. It meant the world to me.
I've always been bad at giving that gift. When my kids were young, I had to clamp my mouth shut as they told long, out-of-breath, rambling stories. I was SO tempted to hurry them along, get them to the point. But the POINT was that they needed to be heard. They needed me to slow down, hit the pause button of my busy life, and listen.
Today when you feel like rushing past someone, stop instead. When you find yourself "uh-huhing" faster and faster, hoping to get them to wrap up their thoughts, try slowing down and really listening. When someone in your family interrupts you in the middle of something, offer them your full attention - generously.
Let's give someone the kindness of slowing down. Of hearing. Of acknowledging that they are delightful and we want to spend a little time with them.
Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
Store visits can feel a little like sales cold-calls. Not exactly the favorite activity for my an author with my personality type. Thankfully, I was treated warmly each place I stopped.
But a few of the staff that I met really listened when I told them about the book. Their eyes didn't follow each person strolling by. They didn't glance at their watch after ten seconds. They smiled, they nodded . . . they took a moment to slow down and give the gift of attention. It meant the world to me.
I've always been bad at giving that gift. When my kids were young, I had to clamp my mouth shut as they told long, out-of-breath, rambling stories. I was SO tempted to hurry them along, get them to the point. But the POINT was that they needed to be heard. They needed me to slow down, hit the pause button of my busy life, and listen.
Today when you feel like rushing past someone, stop instead. When you find yourself "uh-huhing" faster and faster, hoping to get them to wrap up their thoughts, try slowing down and really listening. When someone in your family interrupts you in the middle of something, offer them your full attention - generously.
Let's give someone the kindness of slowing down. Of hearing. Of acknowledging that they are delightful and we want to spend a little time with them.
Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Day 3 - Blast from the Past
Today, let's prayerfully think back over someone we are grateful to that we haven't seen in a long time.
A grade school teacher?
A piano teacher?
A college professor?
An aunt or uncle you once spent the summer with?
A high school band director?
A Sundayschool teacher?
A pastor from a church you haven't attended in years?
(feel free to suggest more ideas!)
Once you've thought of a few people who were blessings to you once upon a time, see if you can find an email or snail mail address or phone number for that person - and surprise them with a "thank you."
Even a postcard saying, "Thinking of you today, and the way your encouragement when I was young helped shape my work today" will be a delightful "out of the blue" surprise!
Let's be detectives and see if we can find some people from our past and thank them!
Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
A grade school teacher?
A piano teacher?
A college professor?
An aunt or uncle you once spent the summer with?
A high school band director?
A Sundayschool teacher?
A pastor from a church you haven't attended in years?
(feel free to suggest more ideas!)
Once you've thought of a few people who were blessings to you once upon a time, see if you can find an email or snail mail address or phone number for that person - and surprise them with a "thank you."
Even a postcard saying, "Thinking of you today, and the way your encouragement when I was young helped shape my work today" will be a delightful "out of the blue" surprise!
Let's be detectives and see if we can find some people from our past and thank them!
Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Day 2 - Kindness in a Blog Comment
Okay, sticking to the theme of easy kindnesses and the internet, here's a suggestion for today:
Visit a friend's blog and leave an encouraging comment to one of his or her blog posts. Let them know you appreciate what was shared.
Let them know someone has read what they are writing. Let them know they are being heard.
Don't have any friends who blog? Visit a favorite blog or website by someone you DON'T know and post a complimentary comment.
Visit a friend's blog and leave an encouraging comment to one of his or her blog posts. Let them know you appreciate what was shared.
Let them know someone has read what they are writing. Let them know they are being heard.
Don't have any friends who blog? Visit a favorite blog or website by someone you DON'T know and post a complimentary comment.
Monday, September 1, 2008
Day 1 - Kindness in An Email
I'll try to post an idea each day in September - our Penny's Project month.
If I don't keep up with a new one each day, I hope these will be supplemented by great ideas by all of you!!!
Please comment about small acts of kindness that you have done, or plan to do, or that have been gifted to you.
Day one, we're starting with something VERY easy. Not costly, not scary or difficult, no sacrifice required.
Send an email to someone whom God brings to mind.
Sounds like a tiny, not-highly-meaningful act. BUT there have been days that a loving, genuine, personal, encouraging note from a friend in my email box TOTALLY helped me through a dark day.
I'm NOT referring to jokes and cartoons and group emails that are forwarded around and clutter our boxes. I'm also not counting a friendly affirmation included along with a request. I mean a pure, personal, encouraging and kind note for no other purpose than to let someone know you care about them.
Lord,
guide us to a name...then guide our words.
Help us pour out our love, support, and tender regard,
and hit "send" with a prayer on our lips for you to bless the friend who will receive our message. Amen.
Let me know how it goes!
And continue to invite your friends to visit this site and join us in Penny's Project - sharing a small step of kindness with a new person each day!
His,
Sharon
If I don't keep up with a new one each day, I hope these will be supplemented by great ideas by all of you!!!
Please comment about small acts of kindness that you have done, or plan to do, or that have been gifted to you.
Day one, we're starting with something VERY easy. Not costly, not scary or difficult, no sacrifice required.
Send an email to someone whom God brings to mind.
Sounds like a tiny, not-highly-meaningful act. BUT there have been days that a loving, genuine, personal, encouraging note from a friend in my email box TOTALLY helped me through a dark day.
I'm NOT referring to jokes and cartoons and group emails that are forwarded around and clutter our boxes. I'm also not counting a friendly affirmation included along with a request. I mean a pure, personal, encouraging and kind note for no other purpose than to let someone know you care about them.
Lord,
guide us to a name...then guide our words.
Help us pour out our love, support, and tender regard,
and hit "send" with a prayer on our lips for you to bless the friend who will receive our message. Amen.
Let me know how it goes!
And continue to invite your friends to visit this site and join us in Penny's Project - sharing a small step of kindness with a new person each day!
His,
Sharon
Friday, July 18, 2008
Praising Someone - Behind Their Back
We all know the horrible feeling of finding out someone has said something mean about us behind our back.
But there is an equally powerful joy in learning someone shared a kind report about us to others.
I just returned from the International Christian Retail Show - an exhausting experience. One day, I got a call. A store manager had stopped by my publisher's booth and raved about my books. They told him I was at the conference, and called me to arrange for me to meet him. I was so encouraged by his enthusiasm. But it also felt amazing to think of someone "talking behind my back" in such a terrific way. He made me look good to my publishers.
In Stepping Into Sunlight, Penny tells a store manager about a clerk that has done a terrific job. The manager and clerk are both startled, but it makes the clerk's day, and raises her in the eyes of her rather cranky manager.
It's so much easier to whine and complain about people. I confess I slip into it far too often. But I've been concentrating on finding opportunities to genuinely talk up someone I like or admire behind his or her back. They may never find out, but it does raise their esteem. And if they do hear about it, it just might make their day.
Can you think of someone you could speak well of behind their back?
We've discussed the power of a kind word, but let's try the power of a covert kind word and see what happens. :-)
Feel free to share your stories here.
Everyone who comments will be entered in a drawing for a free Penny's Project Notebook.
Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
But there is an equally powerful joy in learning someone shared a kind report about us to others.
I just returned from the International Christian Retail Show - an exhausting experience. One day, I got a call. A store manager had stopped by my publisher's booth and raved about my books. They told him I was at the conference, and called me to arrange for me to meet him. I was so encouraged by his enthusiasm. But it also felt amazing to think of someone "talking behind my back" in such a terrific way. He made me look good to my publishers.
In Stepping Into Sunlight, Penny tells a store manager about a clerk that has done a terrific job. The manager and clerk are both startled, but it makes the clerk's day, and raises her in the eyes of her rather cranky manager.
It's so much easier to whine and complain about people. I confess I slip into it far too often. But I've been concentrating on finding opportunities to genuinely talk up someone I like or admire behind his or her back. They may never find out, but it does raise their esteem. And if they do hear about it, it just might make their day.
Can you think of someone you could speak well of behind their back?
We've discussed the power of a kind word, but let's try the power of a covert kind word and see what happens. :-)
Feel free to share your stories here.
Everyone who comments will be entered in a drawing for a free Penny's Project Notebook.
Blessings!
Sharon Hinck
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