Praise...
I was thinking today about how wonderful, uplifting and
beneficial praise is; yet how uncommon or even unused it can be...
As for the reason why we can lack it in our speech? I can
only speculate...so instead, I'd rather challenge and encourage us to take
another look at praise.
As I really enjoy acrostic poetry, I had a play around with
the word praise and this is what I've come up with; see what you think :)
R (right)
A (affirming)
I (inspiring)
E (expectant)
Ok, to get a clear idea of what I'm trying to express above;
I'd like you to try something. First,
try picturing yourself with your loved one ~ partner, child, mother etc...and
imagine that from out of your mouth comes forth a beautiful rainbow. The rainbow covers them in love and showering
down from within are words of praise. What
does their face look like?
Don't let the old saying...'words
and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me' fool you. Words are powerful! Therefore, PRAISE IS POWERFUL!!
Do you remember someone from your life whose words have made
a mark? Of course you do, we all do.
Words are powerful, so I believe that each day we should try to use our
words positively. Why not try every day to encourage and lift-up the people you are in
contact with? I'm not advising false
flattery, rather when something happens during the day, or comes to mind,
instead of letting the moment pass, seize it and use it for good.
Next point, PRAISE IS RIGHT!! We all want justice, yes? Well it makes sense that we should work for
it within our own lives, and praise is the right thing to give someone when
they deserve it. Imagine how many lives
could be affected, if we all started to acknowledge and praise people when we
should, rather than harbouring jealously.
PRAISE IS AFFIRMING!!
This point may be to some just a given, however did you know that
affirmation (affirming words) is actually a love language in its own
right? To some people, words of
affirmation are their main love language and without this type of language they
may not feel as loved. If you'd like to
know more about love languages go to this website...it's fantastic!
PRAISE IS INSPIRING!!
Because words give life to people, they have a real consequential
affect. Our words of praise will inspire
those who hear them, both the person whom they're directed at, and other
listeners. Have you nagged your partner
to praise the kids more? Well why not
just speak them yourself, regardless of your partners efforts and see the affect it creates
in your home?
PRAISE IS SELFLESS!! We all can be narcissistic ~ but what I
love about genuine praise is it is so beautifully selfless :D
PRAISE CREATES EXPECTANCY!! How wonderful is it when a young child looks at you, eagerly awaiting your approval? When we are praise givers, people will turn
to us for encouragement and turn to us for praise ~ what a wonderful gift to
others this can be. It is a wonderful
part of a solid foundation for real loving relationships.
The following blog/website has a great list of praise words
for adults to speak to kids!
Now before I end, I'd like to take words of praise one step
further...what about praise to/for God? Today,
(where I live) praise for God, even among Christians, can be viewed as
out-dated or something we just do privately...but I'd like to challenge
this! Firstly, praising God is something
that God through the Holy Bible advises us to do. Imagine how different our towns would be, if
rather than hearing blasphemy, we heard a word of praise to God! I challenge you to give it a go! Next time something great happens and inside
you think, 'Oh wow, that was cool' voice it out loud in praise to God.
Will people nearby freak out? LOL...maybe?? Let's hope it impacts them in
such a way, that they're encouraged to do the same...what an awesome positive
influence you could be!! BECAUSE praise
is...Powerful, the Right thing to do, Affirming, Inspiring, Selfless and
creates Expectancy!!!
In love, Melanie.
