My friend was running a fundraiser for a youth program. She shared a comment made by someone regarding her opinion of the fundraiser. There had been debate about whether to hold a spaghetti dinner or sell hot ham sandwiches. Hot ham won. This woman had voted against hot ham. She agreed to help with the fundraiser but not before she said, "This is the stupidest idea I have ever heard of!" (It turned out the hot ham sold very well!) My friend took it in stride, but I continued to wonder about this comment directed to someone trying to do a good thing for her child?

In contrast, I had a meeting scheduled with a colleague. The day before, I had my material all organized to prepare for the meeting. It was in a white folder next to my desk. Except when I looked it wasn't next to my desk. After hours of searching every place I thought it was and every place I didn't think it was, I finally gave up and called my colleague to find out what I needed to prepare. I was frustrated with myself and hated to impose on his time. When I finished babbling an explanation and apology, my colleague said gently, "Oh, that happens to the best of us and you are the best of us." In that instant, I went from feeling kind of dumb to feeling blessed. (And after many prayers to St. Anthony, I found the folder later that day.)

I thought of the contrast of two sentences. One critical and one uplifting. I thought of the impact our words can have. Scripture reminds us, "Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for edifying... that it may give grace to them that hear." (Ephesians 4:29) Our words can build up or break down. It is wise to remember the power of just a few words.