It was New Year’s Eve. Holding hands and their heads down, the newly weds exited the church to the waiting limousine. They won the Rose Bowl. CELEBRATIONS!! The confetti flew! You can imagine it.

I wasn’t in a confetti mood last week. I was feeling quite the opposite.

For several years my friend and I had a word we used when connecting with each other, deep. We wouldn’t allow our relationship to be superficial. It fit our desires — but now? I wanted it to but in my mind, I was coming up short. I texted her my feelings.

“We don’t always have to be deep but I consider you one of my deepest, most honest friends.”  She texted back.

Her word confetti was a balm to my soul. That’s who I want to be. I want to be an honest friend, a real friend, a vulnerable friend. That equates to deep. She called out who God created me to be.

“Gracious words are like a honeycomb,
sweetness to the soul and health to the body.”
Proverbs 16:24

Confetti, Words, Affirmations — How do they relate?

Words are important; affirming words are like confetti celebrating who God created the listener to be.

Words of affirmation are not the same as compliments. Compliments point out something temporary, possibly an accomplishment, possibly a new hair style. Although compliments are encouraging, they are not transformational.

Words of affirmation are transformational. They remind the receiver of God’s good creation in them. Affirmation transcends temporary. We need affirming words!

Paul affirms Timothy. “But as for you, O man of God,” — I Timothy 6:11.
God affirms Jesus. “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” — Matthew 3:17.
Jesus affirms Peter. “You are Peter, a rock.” — Matthew 16:18, The Message.
Jesus affirms Bartimaeus. “… your faith has made you well. — Mark 10:52.
Boaz affirms Ruth calling her kind and worthy. — Ruth 3:10, 11.
The LORD affirms Noah. “… you are righteous …” — Genesis 7:1.

“Let love be genuine …
Outdo one another in showing honor.”
Romans 12:9, 10.

Affirming another is noticing and honoring who God created them to be. It is calling out the good in others. It’s like tossing confetti.

For the receiver, it is humbling.
It is also a reminder inspiring the receiver to keep living out their God-ordained creation.

Pastor Dane Ortlund reminds that if CS Lewis had not encouraged (affirmed) JRR Tolkien, the the Lord of the Rings books would not have existed! He goes on to say, that affirmation has an disproportional power to the receiver. Like putting $1000 in their bank account and it costs the giver nothing. Well, nothing but noticing.

My word for 2024 is affirmation.
My heart is to grow in being an affirming person.
I desire to notice and honor my friends by seeing who they are,
and calling out who God created them to be.
I want my words to be like confetti.

But you know, sometimes you know people who seem hard to affirm. I get that.

I was taught an affirmation exercise that has greatly helped me. It includes a list of 160 affirming words. I would like to share it with you. If you are signed up to follow Echoes of Grace, I’ll send you the details. If you have not signed up, please do so, and you too will get the details.

 

What are your desires for the new year?

Whatever they might be, BIG blessings to you in 2024!

 

 

 

Copyright: Sue Tell, January 2024