“I sure like your shoes.”

It was the end of a work day in a long week and a little girl was walking next to me in a crowded hallway. Out of the blue, she looks up with a smile and says, “I sure like your shoes.” It was just five little words from a little six year old girl and days later my heart is still smiling with her sweetness. Random kindness scattered in the mundane moments of life can change a world. Never underestimate your extraordinary influence in sometimes the most ordinary ways and days.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21 (NIV) 

Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what  a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. James 3:5-6 (NIV) 

Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4 (NLT)

Considering the seriousness of the warnings above, how the phrase, “sticks and stones will break my bones but words will never hurt me” caught on like it did, I’ll never know. Words are weapons and like any weapon, if they are used carelessly, become deadly. 

To use or own, or even carry a weapon legally, you need a license and proper training. If our tongue has the power of life and death as the Bible states, and each of us is naturally gifted one upon birth, it would seem we should also apply careful training and attention to its proper use. 

Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:18 (NIV) 

This above verse indicates the Bible supplies us with words of life, words of encouragement! So what better trainer than the Word Himself! Take a look with me at two bookends in Scripture… Matthew 4:23 and Matthew 9:35. These two verses are near identical, like two mirrors and what is contained in the space between these two verses illustrates the concepts they relay. 

Matthew 4:23 (NKJV) And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people.

Matthew 9:35 (NKJV) Then Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.

In both above verses you can underline “preaching”, “teaching” and “healing”. Jesus was teaching, preaching and healing. The acts of preaching and teaching use words, and in Matthew 5 through 7 Jesus gives His famous Sermon on the Mount. A radical teaching and preaching on the realities of the Kingdom of Heaven! Then in Matthew chapters 8 and 9 Jesus is healing every sickness and disease among the people; demonstrating the Kingdom of Heaven! In other words Jesus backed up every word He said with action!! Luke 1:37 (NLT) For the word of God will never fail.” 

If we want to train this weapon we have all been born with that has the potential to bring life or death, not only to ourselves but also to others we must walk in unfailing Truth next to the Word of Life Himself. After all, Jesus is the only One who can have our feet fitted with the most beautiful shoes on any kind of day. Only with His shoes we can walk anywhere, anytime and with anyone and still speak words of life, dear one.

For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. Ephesians 6:15 (NLT) …do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. Matthew 10-19-20 (NIV) 

Today, what kind thing can you notice about someone else, and in maybe five words or less let them know, leaving a smile in their hearts that just might last for days. 

Change the world by sharing the light and love of Jesus in you; one step at a time.