At the end of a recent Bible Study, Judy Watne shared with others her experience of what 'positive words' can do to affect other people.

About two years ago, Judy was hired by our county to 'befriend and help' someone with physical difficulties, as well as depression. The county agency asks people like Judy to help those with mental and physical deficiencies, be less dependent on others and more independent; depending on themselves. Many times those with these disabilities do not have or have lost relationships with family and friends; this program is designed to help create natural supports and help individuals obtain this more independent way of living.

Several times each week Judy would take one of the two people with whom she was charged to 'look after' to doctor appointments, out for lunch, or maybe on a shopping trip. "At the beginning of my relationship with this gal, she was living in the care center," Judy said. Her direction was a continual decline.

But Judy entered her new friend's life. "I told her she should call me any time she needed anything," she said. "Any time we were together, I would encourage her." Judy had an adjective she used whenever she called the friend by name. The adjective was Marvelous (and then her name).

Judy would tell her that she looked nice. If there was anything Judy could find on which to compliment her, Judy would say it. Sometimes Judy would give her a vote of confidence that she could do something for which the client believed otherwise.

Over the course of time, the gal also believed she could handle things she hadn't been able to handle in the past. Her appearance improved, as did her countenance and the way she carried herself when she walked. "When we would go out for lunch," Judy said, "we would sometimes pray that God would find us a parking space in front of where we were going. And then we would thank God, when He provided it. She began to realize that God loved and would take care of her too."

Eventually, the two- and three-time-a-week phone calls became less frequent. Now Judy's new friend calls maybe as rarely as one time every other week. "We have gone from being worker and client to good friends," Judy said. "I really love her. She is out of the care center and lives in her own apartment.’

Due to her remarkable progress over the last two years, it appears that Judy’s friend will no longer need services through Wright County, “But that doesn’t mean that we can’t remain friends,” she said. “She will be my friend forever.”

Judy lives by the realization that everyone needs positive words spoken over them. "Speaking positive words has helped make her well," she said, "but it isn't just her, it is all of us who needs those kinds of words said to us. Just a word or two can make a world of difference in other people's lives. The Bible says, ‘The tongue has the power of life and death….’ (Proverbs 18:21)."

And who wins when we speak 'well words' to others? The person on the receiving end of those words.........and the person saying them!

"So speak encouraging words to one another..."

I Thessalonians 5:9