What’s one of the nicest things that anyone ever said to you?

I bet something came to your mind didn’t it?

You have the power to make a lifelong imprint on someone. Feel the awesome weight of that prospect for second. Our words, especially to our children, can and do shape the way they see themselves, view their future and act as a lense for how they approach the day. And yet, I confess that I’m often careless with how I wheel out words to the people in my life or am negligent in grabbing the moments to build my loved ones up with my words.

Take 82 seconds and watch this powerful ThumbPeople video:

“What you say can mean life or death. Those who speak with care will be rewarded.” Prov. 18:21 NCV

Giving your children the gift of loving and affirming words will not only make them thankful for those words that they’ll treasure in their hearts forever, it will make you thankful as well.

Last weekend, we dropped our son off at a college campus that’s five hours away from home.

It was very hard on my mother’s heart, but I AM thankful for the loving and affirming words that I was able to share with him over the years in our home and the words shared before we left campus.

The next day, I saw a quote by Dr. Suess that said, “Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened.”

Make “it” happen with YOUR children today.

Stay encouraged ~

Cathy