Happy Friday to you all, and a very Happy Valentines Day as well! Here is a little bit of Friday love to get your day and weekend off to a loving start!
I once read an article written by the Reverend Morris Chalfant. In it, he tells the story of a husband and wife who were celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. The husband was asked by his young son-in-law what the secret was to his long and successful marriage. As some older people tend to do, the husband responded to his son-in-law by sharing a story.
Well, my wife Sarah was the only girl I ever dated. I grew up in an orphanage, and I worked very hard for everything I had. In fact, even though I had noticed Sarah a lot at school, I didn’t have time to actually date her. You see, when we weren’t in school, I was always working at the store in the late afternoon and evening. And then, one day, she came into the store where I worked, and she literally swept me off my feet! Before I knew it, I was buying her a ring, and I was on one knee asking for her hand in marriage. Thankfully, she said yes!After we had spoken our vows to one another on our wedding day, Sarah‘s father took me into a side room where we were having our reception, and he handed me a small gift. He said, “Within this gift is all you really need to know in order to have a happy marriage.” I was very nervous, and I fumbled untying the ribbon and unwrapping the beautifully wrapped gift. Once I got the ribbon and wrapping paper off, there was a box. And inside the box was a large gold watch. With great care, I picked it up and looked at it closely…..it was magnificent!! But then, upon closer examination, I saw etched across the face of the watch words of wisdom that would be unavoidable to see when I checked the time throughout the day. The message, if I heeded, held the secret to a very successful marriage. And those words were simply this: “Say something nice to Sarah.”
The power of words! Words can build someone up over time. But words can destroy someone quickly. How we speak to someone can have lifelong effects on a person’s life. To speak words of kindness and gratitude and love might be the best way to build someone up! In the book, The Five Love Languages, we find “words of affirmation” to be one of the love languages that help convey to people that they are indeed loved. Gifts, quality time, physical touch, and acts of service are the other four love languages. But whether or not words are your primary love language, the power of words should never be underestimated! To speak loving kindness into someone’s life every single day will build relationships of love that will last a lifetime!
Again, Happy Valentines Day! And go say something nice to ___________ (you fill in the blank). You will never regret it!Sending some Friday Love your way; have a great weekend!
