What They Remember
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“People will not necessarily remember your words or deeds as much as they will remember how you made them feel.”
I don’t know who to credit with this bit of wisdom but I know it’s true. When I stop to think of those who have touched my life in significant ways I am keenly aware of how they made me feel. I don’t always remember their words or what they did but I remember how I felt.
God also knows the impact we have on each other as we interact. He knows our ability to show kindness or to take the extra moment to show gentleness. He also knows our ability to ignore, overlook or disregard the feelings of others. That’s why He reminds us to consider how we make others feel. Listen…
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“Be kind and loving to one another with brotherly affection and take delight in honoring each other” (Romans 12:10, The Living Bible).
“Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Chris.” (Ephesians 4:32, The Living Bible).
Be aware today of how people are left feeling after an encounter with you. Remember, you are representing Jesus to the world around you. Let them feel His care through you.
Prayer & Reflection
Father God, Thank you that You understand my personality and how I think and feel. Today I ask that You would make me aware of my interactions with the people around me. Help me to be aware of how I speak and behave. Give me a gentle and loving spirit that shows people that I care about them. Thank you that I have the privilege of representing You today. Slow me down as I hurry through my day. May those I encounter feel appreciated and cared for. Give me grace today by the power of Your Holy Spirit and may I in turn give grace away.
In Jesus’ name I pray, amen.
Questions: Why don’t take some time and think back to people that have made you feel good about yourself? What is it that you remember about them? Is there someone in your life that you could show an act of kindness? Please comment.
About the Author Gail Rodgers
15 Responses to “What They Remember”
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I would like to comment on a lady I do not know. Her name is C.J. and other than knowing she is a Christian and an angel from God, I do not know her. Back in 2007, I had a heart attack which resulted in heart by-pass surgery. I was placed in ICU for a few days after surgery and not feeling too good, to say the least. I had tubes down my throat and several other places we will not discuss. Anyway, I was unable to verbally communicate to anyone during these few days. My nurse, C.J. was my angel. I wanted so badly to talk to her but couldn’t. I knew she was a Christian though. I could see it on her face and hear it in her voice. I finally wrote on a piece of paper, “you are a Christian, arn’t you?”. She nodded yes she was. I wrote back and said, “I can tell”. She just smiled. She helped me so much during such a bad time. I just want to thank God for her. This devotional reminded me so much of her.
I thank God for the topic of this devotional. It reminds me of the fact that I should make positive impact on people I meet each day. I should also say kind words to people, smile at them and speak kindly to people.
I have learnt that I should avoid being easily irritated and be more patient. Thank you so much.
Francisca
I really appreciate the sweetness of each of your responses. I was feeling a bit homesick, but turning my thoughts towards others needs is really comforting my heart.
With all the controversy about saying “Merry Christmas”, I have been deliberately making it a point to just smile at those who are alone in the mall, in the store, on benches, and say “Merry Christmas”…and I can see each face lighten up with a smile and a positive response. Because I know the one that Christmas is all about, I think His love comes through. Takes away all my loneliness…
Shari
I too needed a reminder of this today. I wasn’t as nice as I could have been to my boyfriend’s son. None of us are adjusting well to my getting laid off then bumped to a night job–I can’t be home to cook, help the 10 yr old w/homework, just be together like the family we’ve been and it’s tearing us apart. I’ve been feeling used and neglected and we’re all sniping at each other or sometimes just not speaking at all. I pray every day that our finances get better, that we can figure it all out and get to a better place but it’s just overwhelming right now.
But, I’d also forgotten how important it is just to smile at people as you encounter them because even on the worst day someone smiling at me often makes my day. Today’s saying was one that I should live by but with all the stress in the last few weeks have let slip away. Thanks for the reminder.
Julie
What a precious, honest heart you have, Cathy. God will honor that.
I pray that the Holy Spirit will give you that gentle nudge just before you react so that you can choose, in that instant, to respond with gentle, healing words.
Being aware, as you are, is the first and most important step. Expect Him to change the words on your tongue. We can count on Him to redeem our weaknesses with His strength!
Have a wonderful Christmas season!
Warmly,
Gail
Thanks Gail, I have been saying mean things to my husband lately and being really impatient and annoyed at little things. REading your message made me text him an apology note and remind him how much I appreciate all that he does do for our family. Your messages always touch my heart. I like your advice to Pamela, to respond with a gentle voice. That is good advice, but not easy to remember for me, especially when I am upset. I respond and then think. Please pray that God keeps giving me reminders to improve. I thought I was improving greatly, but lately, I seem to be slipping back into my old habits.
When I first began reading this devotion, my mind went back to hurtful words, looks, actions that damaged me as a girl and young woman. As I read on, the Lord reminded me that yes, those things have been hurtful, but by His grace, I have overcome those discouragements and by His grace, have learned from them.
Now….today, it isn’t about me….but today…who can I encourage? Who can I be that listening ear? Who can I give that needed hug? Who…needs a smile today….. a word of encouragement?
Thank you, Gail, for reminding me to turn my thoughts toward those who encouraged me with positive things rather than the negative.
Isn’t it wonderful that He has put those in our path over the years, who have given us just enough love and encouragement….those unexpected smiles and hugs that come at our most needed times….that seem to keep us going.
His grace is sufficient! I’m so thankful for my loving Savior. He has given me my most precious friends….
Pamela,
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Hi Pamela,
It can be a real challenge when family issues stir up words and actions that are hurtful.
Scripture tells us wisely that a soft answer turns away anger but harsh words stir it up. It goes on to say that the tongue that brings healing brings life. (Proverbs 15: 1 & 4)
You are only responsible for the words coming out of your own mouth and for the actions that you do.
The words and actions of others are beyond our control.
So when hurtful words and actions erupt ask God to help you respond in a gentle way and to give you wisdom in speaking words that will bring life into your family relationships.
If the words and actions serve to divide you and your husband always seek to protect your marriage relationship. Don’t engage in conversations that will weaken that relationship. Ask God to help you answer wisely.
Ask God to show you what fuels these fires of destructive words and actions. Ask Him to show you the feelings behind the words and to give you understanding.
Lord God,
Together we join Pamela in asking You to bring Your peace into her family. Give her divine wisdom as she looks at the issues and determines her own responses. Give her a gentle answer on her lips. Give her life words to speak that will inspire others to speak well too.
Lord, grant her insight, wisdom, strength, understanding and an uncommon gentleness that will begin to transform those relationships by the power of Your Holy Spirit.
Empower her to do what she knows is right.
We pray this in the name of Jesus, amen.
God bless you, Pamela, as you seek to be a peace maker in your family.
Warmly,
Gail
Ok I have to go run some errands. i will check back later today.
Any words of Wisdom from anyone would be great.
Is anyone there?
Iam struggling with a family issue and have a hard time doing what i know is the right things to do. I have let there hurtfull words and actions interfere with my marriage.
Amen to the devotional words and to the poster’s above! This is SUCH an important thing!! I truly believe that while we ALL have “our” personalities that can sometimes greatly differ, GOD is ABLE to give His children hearts and actions of LOVE and that He desires TONS of unity in this area! I’m VERY sensitive to this sort of thing as I see how negative attitudes hurt and affect others. I’ve also seen, first hand, for sure, just how SWEET it can be to bless a person with kindness and a perhaps a loving touch.
I am so grateful that Jesus gave me an outgoing and happy personality in Him and it is my JOY to talk to anyone and make people feel warm. I LOVE being the kind of person who “breaks the ice” and makes people feel comfortable. I hope to encourage the masses as God leads me on in His LOVE!
Thank you Gail for this wonderful and most important word! It is truly a BLESSING!:))
I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.
Maya Angelou
This quote from Maya has blessed me two days in a row, so I can say that this women has words in her heart that inspire and make me feel great! I also work at a gym for women two days a week and their are two women that come in bright and early in the morning, they make me feel like I am the most wonderful person in the world. They creit me for their motivation to come in to work out! This is my joy to know that God has used me to bless them! Thank God for Jesus, His Word, and His Holy Spirit!
Yesterday was Monday, as we all know! ;) I was hurrying up the stairs to go into work, and I flung open the stairway door, and there was a man in a wheelchair in the hallway. I smiled and spoke to him, and he told me that he needed my smile and I had made his day. “I like your attitude! So many people are freaking out these days, thinking that the world is going to end!” I wasn’t sure what to say to that, so I just kept smiling. He asked me if I was going into work, and I said yes, and he was surprised that I was still smiling even though I was coming in to work! He said that I made his day, but I’m not sure if he knows that he made mine too.