YOUR WORDS HELPED ME! Last week Saturday; two lovely readers of this blog posts sent me the same link/write up they came across and thought I would find the story inspiring as they did. Firstly, I thought; what are the odds that two people would send me the same information. The second interesting thing was the story itself. Here is how it goes:- After working in a school for 27 years as a janitor, a gentleman got a job in the same school as the principal. As a young man, Gabe Sonnier had to quit school to pick up a job because his mother was not able to afford to care for his four siblings and send him to University at the same time. So he picked up a job as a janitor. The journey to becoming a principal in this school started in 1985 when the principal at the time pulled him aside and said Id rather see you grading papers than picking them up - this statement triggered a process. At the age of 39, Gabe decided to return to university part time. He said he would get to the school to work as a janitor by 5am to leave at 7am for his university studies and the after studies, he would go back to work to complete his 8 hours. In 2008, he finished his degree and became a teacher in the same school. After that, He went back to university for a masters degree in education and got a role in the same school as a principal. After such hard work, persistency and time, he moved from being the one who picked papers up in a school to being the one that grades papers; just as the old principal told him almost twenty years ago. In his interview, he said do not let the situation you are in now define what you are going to become later. He was a living proof that, with the right word of advice, desire, hard work and persistency, we can move from wherever we are now into where we need to be. I believe that the principal believing in Mr Sonnier was one very good reason why he started his journey as well as persisted to the point of achieving his new goal. Every single day, we get a chance to speak positive, encouraging as well as challenging words into the lives of the people around us; which can lead them to changing their destinies. Mr Sonniers story reminded me of one told by one of our pastors recently. He met a young man while he was working in the city. The young man was surprised to see this pastor and said, he thought people like him could not get a job in the city of London. Our pastor encouraged him and taught him to change his mindset. A few years later, someone walked up to this pastor in the city and said Im sure you cannot remember me, but you changed my life. Your words helped me change my expectation and here I am today, I now work in the city myself. What if Mr Sonnier had not heard these words from the then principal? Or what if the gentleman in the city did not meet our pastor? Much more importantly, what if the encouragers never spoke words of encouragement to these people, we probably would not be talking and learning about them today. Gods word says: Death and life are in the power of the tongue and those who love it will eat its fruits. Proverbs 18:21 The tongue is very powerful and we all have it. We can use it to lift people up or set them down. Truly, it does not matter where anyone is in life, a word of encouragement, a word of life can push them in the right direction. I am not saying its all down to WORDS only, but I am saying its a very good starting point to changing someones life. I personally set out every single day determined to encourage at least one person with my words. Some peoples stories are currently incomplete and not heard yet because they are waiting for your word of encouragement which will propel them into the right action that will lead to their change of story. Like Mr Sonnier said; our current situation does not have to dictate our end. So if anyone is not in their desired place yet; keep going, as with hard work and perseverance, you will be celebrated someday. And for the rest of us; a little word of encouragement, approval and direction can make a lot of difference in many lives; so lets start doing just that; let us help others with our words. God is on your side! PB
Posted on: Thu, 28 Aug 2014 17:34:55 +0000
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