Healing Words

“For wherever you go, I will go...” Ruth 1:16

We can say that Naomi received the short end of the stick in the game called life. Her husband died, her two sons died and there was famine in the land. One daughter-in-law left her to return to her own people. But Ruth, her other daughter-in-law, refused to go. “Do not ask me to abandon or forsake you! For wherever you go, I will go, wherever you lodge, I will lodge, your people shall be my people, and your God my God.” Through Ruth, Naomi was blessed. Ruth married Boaz, a kinsman of Naomi, when they returned to Bethlehem. Ruth is one of only five women included in the long genealogy of Jesus. 

We never know how, when or where, our words and actions have far reaching effects on people’s lives. We can choose to support and encourage and be a blessing, or we can curse others with our indifference, put downs, bullying, or thoughtless comments. Sometimes we praise people in our minds, but we don’t say them. We should, so that it can be a seed we plant that can grow in peoples’ hearts and minds. 

One time Victoria Osteen was passing a busy corridor, so many people rushing to and fro. She got an urge to stop and speak to a stranger. She said, “I think you’re beautiful!” and passed on. Years later that woman came by Joel Osteen’s office to tell him that Victoria would never know what that little moment in time meant to her. She had just gotten through a distressing divorce and she was full of self-doubt, shame and recrimination. Her whole life crumbled and she did not know how to make it whole again. When Victoria spoke to her, she felt strongholds were broken, and she felt better about herself. It was the start of her healing. 

Many people look whole on the outside. But there are broken people all around us. Let us intentionally speak healing words every day and plant seeds in God’s beautiful garden.