Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Where there's a will there's a way

"The Power on Encouragement" by Jonathan K...

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs saw how deep the pit was, they yelled to the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their might. The other frogs kept telling to them to stop, that there was no hope.

Finally, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and died.

The other frog continued jumping as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop his jumping and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, (after taking a needed rest) the other frogs clamored, "Didn’t you hear us?" The frog explained to them that he was deaf. He thought they were encouraging him the entire time.

From this we learn two lessons:

A. There is power of life and death in the tongue. An encouraging word to someone who is down can lift them up and help them make it through the day.

B. A destructive word to someone who is down can be what it takes to kill them.

Words have the power of life and death. Be careful of what you say. Speak words of encouragement to those who cross your path. it is often difficult to understand that an encouraging word can go such a long way. Anyone can speak words that tend to rob another of the spirit to continue in difficult times. Special is the individual who will take the time to encourage another. Be that special person.

10 comments:

Twisted Fencepost said...

Words to live by!
If the rest of the world would get with that program, this world be a much more pleasant place to live!

Kathleen McQueen Wright said...

Words so true!

Betsy Brock said...

Wow, I loved this. Being one who has had some pretty hateful words thrown at them, I know how they stick with you and can really take the wind out of your sails! I love the frog story! :) I put a little plug for this entry on my blog!

Gigi Ann said...

How true, those are words we can all live by. It is so nice when I'm feeling a bit down and someone says something encouraging to me, it builds me up and my whole day goes better. However, if you are at a lose for words; Smile, smiles are powerful in there encouragement as well.

Reader Wil said...

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CINDY BUCKLEY said...

Just this morning I got an email from a friend, and this was at the bottom of it...

Be kinder than necessary,
for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.

Good advice, from you both :) It's good to have a reminder.

Kayren said...

I came by from Betsy's today. I enjoyed reading this story about the frogs and their words. I'm going to have my four kids read it. Maybe coming from the frogs' point of view and not mine will help them see the impact of their words a little differently.

I also read down your front page at your other entries. What an enjoyable read! I especially enjoyed the ten commandments post.

Have a great day!

MumbaiiteAnu said...

What a wonderful story! So inspiring and a lesson to learn.

And I love the format of the 10 commandments. I will keep them in record for my li'l son to read in the future.
This is a great blog.

Gill - That British Woman said...

excellent post, and words of wisdom.

Gill in Canada

Renie Burghardt said...

Wise advice, indeed!

Hope all is well in your world, Patty.

Renie