THE POWER OF POSITIVE WORDS

THE POWER OF POSITIVE WORDS

Fred Craddock, a lecturer at Phillips Theological Seminary, told of a time when his family was on vacation in Tennessee.  They were having dinner at a restaurant when an elderly man approached and asked if they were enjoying themselves.  But Fred just wanted to enjoy some quiet time with his family.  So when the man asked Fred what he did for a living, he saw it as a way to get rid of him and replied enthusiastically, “I’m a preacher!”

“A preacher?  That’s great!  Let me tell you a story about a preacher.”

The elderly gentleman took the liberty to sit down at their table.  Fred’s annoyance grew immediately, but was gradually changed to profound gratitude as the man told his story.  The old man explained that he was what most people would call an “illegitimate child.”  [Editor’s Note: There is really no such thing].  However, in the early 1900s, being born without knowing the identity of his father was a source of great shame in his tiny hometown.

One day a new minister was installed as pastor in the local church.  The old man explained that as a youngster he had never gone to church, but one Sunday he decided to go and hear the new pastor preach.  As it turned out, the new pastor was an excellent speaker, so the young lad went back again and again.  

But his shame always accompanied him.  So he would always arrive late and leave early to avoid talking to anyone.  However, one Sunday he got so caught up in the sermon that he forgot to leave.  And before he knew it, the service was over and the aisles were filled with people.  He rushed to get out the door, but as he did so he felt a hand gently touching his shoulder.

He turned around to see it was the pastor, a very tall man, who was smiling warmly at him.  He asked “What’s your name?  You are always alone.  Whose child are you?”

The little boy died inside because the very thing he desperately wanted to hide was now exposed.  But before he could say anything, the preacher answered the question for him.  “I know who you are.  I know your family.  There’s a distinct resemblance.  Why, you’re the son…you’re the son…you’re the son of God!”

Tears streamed from the old man’s eyes as he said to Jim Craddock, “You know, mister, those powerful words absolutely changed my life.”  And with that he got up and left.

When the waitress came over, she asked the Craddocks, “Do you know who that man is?”

“No,” they replied.

“That’s Ben Hooper, the two-term governor of Tennessee!”

My friends, this day is pregnant with opportunity to breathe words of inspiration into people who really need them.  Make sure you tell them that they are who GOD says they are – and in light of that profound truth, nothing else really matters.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!