write it in stone

I started a new friendship devotional this week.  I have to say I love it.  The entries are short and inspirational.  This week's focus has been encouragement.
As I've pondered the readings this week, I was reminded of a quote I love, "Write your sister's weak points in the sand and her strong points in stone."  I'm not sure who authored this quote and I don't really care.  It's just good stuff.  and true.
This quote is a great reminder for me of the power of our words.

Think about the story of Creation found in Genesis 1.  God created the entire world simply by speaking it into being.  God's Word also tells us we are created in His image.
Obviously, we can't speak an entire world into being but our speech must have power if we're created in God's image.
Solomon tells us in Proverbs 18:21, "The tongue has the power of life and death."
There are many other scriptures referring to the power of the tongue and the need to control it but I'll save those for another time.

My family recently experienced the difference positive and encouraging words and attitudes can make in a situation.
As we were getting ready to go to dinner, there was much spatting among my precious angels.  It was bad enough I thought Eli might choose to stay in the van while the rest of us ate dinner.  Begrudgingly, he decided to join us.

While we were waiting for our dinner, we asked each of the kids to name their five best characteristics.  Frowns quickly turned upside down :)
The kids then decided to go around the table again and name what they thought were the best characteristics about each other.
It was absolutely amazing to witness what happened!
Everyone's attitude changed.
As each of the kids spoke and received kind words, their entire demeanors changed.
Funny thing happened.  They spent the rest of the evening playing together without any fighting.

This was a great reminder for me to stay focused on one another's strengths rather than weaknesses. 
Let the waters of life wash away the weaknesses "written in sand" but let the permanence of words written in stone be a constant reminder of one another's strengths.
May the power of my tongue and your tongue bring life to others and to each conversation.