A Deathly Silence

Silence kills.

Each of us has words we desperately need to hear. Without them, our souls gasp for air, our strength weakens, and our hearts begin to fail. Eventually, in the absence of well-chosen words, something inside of us withers and dies for lack of encouragement.

Do you speak?

Wife - do you tell your husband what you see? His strength, dignity, integrity, courage? Have you told him how he rises head and shoulders above the men around him? Has he heard the long list of reasons that you respect him? And has he heard it again...and again...and again?

Husband - what about you? Does your wife have any idea she's beautiful? That she's an amazing mother? Your favorite companion? That you're not sure you could breathe without her? Has she heard the reasons why you love her since that day at the altar?

Parent - have you told that child what you see in him? The potential, the talent, the character? Has she heard you tell her lately all the ways that she is unique? These children of ours, they become what we see in them, you know. And how will they know what we see unless we tell them?

Friend - Have you told the artist in your life that he really can paint?
Have you told the author how well she writes?
The musician, how well he plays?
The teacher, how well she instructs?
The officer, how well he protects?
The mother, how well she cares?
The father, how well he leads?

If you do not speak these words into their soul, tell me, who will?

How many exceptional people have never surpassed mediocrity because no one spoke the needed words at the needed moment? And in the vacancy, doubt settled in, began to grow, and eventually overshadowed the promise. Discouragement is the natural entropy of things. Dreams, goals, relationships, potential - they all fade in the silence.

Speak!

Make the phone call. Write the letter. Set the date. Find the time.

Our words matter.