A Good Word Wednesday #40

A little bit of goodness in your mailbox today -- WORD 📖🗨️🖥️

Word of the Day - WORD

I can’t believe I haven’t featured this rather obvious word in A Good Word Wednesday.

Word: A letter or group of letters representing such a unit of language, written or printed usually in solid or hyphenated form. A brief expression, statement, remark, etc. A promise, affirmation, or assurance. A command, order, or authorization.

I obviously love words. I spend most days reading them, writing them, saying them, typing them, sharing them like I am doing right now. Think about it. How much time do you spend with words every day?

Words of affirmation is my love language. All I want is someone to say, “Good job,” and that’s all I need to feel loved and appreciated. Words are powerful. Positively they can encourage, inform, and educate. Negatively, you can use them to criticize, slander, and mislead.

Last week, I asked you to tell me what words make you smile when you hear them. Some of your responses included:

• Mom, Grandmother, Nana, names of our grandchildren

• Beach, Vacation, Home

• Chocolate

• Onomatopoeia (a word of sounding like what it represents, like buzz, or woosh, or splat.) That’s a fun word to say too. Gotta smile when you say that one.

• Thank you for sharing your words. (Thank you was my word(s).

Now, how do we use our words for good?

First, we look to The Word. The author and perfector of our faith. Read the foundational scriptures in Wednesday in the Word below.

Wednesday in the Word

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” John 1:1

“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14.

“For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105

Share Your Good Word

This is a a new section this week. I really, really, really want to hear from you. Really.

Question of the Week: What are some ways you can make others know that they are important, valuable, and significant? Let me know please. Really.

Stay tuned for a resource that gathers some of these ideas to help us show others their importance. Others need to realize that God sees them, knows them and loves them. I’m working on an e-book with this info. It will be free for you and new subscribers. It’s in process now. I would appreciate your prayers as I write this impactful resource that will help us connect with others and point them to Christ. I will let you know when it’s finished and connect you to more info on my website.

Good Unseen People

The following story, What’s Your Word?, will be included in my upcoming book, Unseen People: Sharing Life and Light with Your Neighbors and the Nations. Click the link below for more info. This story originally was shared in my blog, Oh the Great Places You’ll Go and later renamed Stories for Global Good.

Do you select a word to focus on every year? Here are some of mine:

What's Your Word?

Good Words I Recommend

A Good Blog: Let My Words Be Few. Wait, I’m a writer. I love words. Why should I not use them?

A Good Song: Thy Word - Amy Grant. I love Amy Grant. We go way back. This is a powerful song she introduced a lot of years ago. It’s pure scripture.

A Good Reading: The Word by Isaac Wimberley Please click and listen to this. Our worship pastor read this on Easter Sunday morning. Wow. Powerful words. Here are just a few of the words:

“You see my words are few. And in trying to capture the one true God, Using my vocabulary would ever do. But I use words as an expression. An expression of worship—to A SAVIOR. A Savior who is both worthy and deserving of my praise So I use words.”

A Good Book: What Now?: Finding Renewed Life in Christ After Loss, Kaitlyn Odom Fiedler. This personal story of tragedy, loss and hope is written by my friend and fellow Hope*Writer. Kaitlyn also published this book with my publisher - Ambassador International Publisher. Please take a look and also visit her website: A Beautiful Belonging.

NOTE: Some of the links above are associate links. That means, when you click and purchase, I receive a small percentage of that sale. Those funds, as well as funds from paid subscribers, supports my writing this piece each week. Thank you! I commit to forwarding a minimum of 10% to the amazing nonprofits: She Is Safe and The Red Cord. They help raise awareness of sex trafficking. They help prevent, rescue and restore victims to new life.

A Final Word

In the introduction of my upcoming book, I ask: What are your three words? If you were introducing yourself to someone for the first time, what words would you use to describe you? I listed: Introvert. Writer. Coffee Snob.

But before you even get this far, you start with your name. Our name sets us apart. When someone says our name out loud, we feel seen. And we are reminded that God saw us first.

Who are the people in your neighborhood, at your kid’s school, or at your workplace who need to be seen, heard and shown God’s love? How about the cashier at your local supermarket? What is her name? Accept the challenge to see them, know them, and call them by name. You don’t have to change the world today. Just start with learning someone’s name. Then listen for three words they use to describe themselves. Try it this week and let me know how it goes.

Thank you for reading my words. And if you would, please share a good word with someone today.

Gratefully yours,