The Power to Shower Goodness

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​“Why did she give this to me?” I heard a loved one ask as I left the room to attend to my baby upstairs.

This was a knitted blanket I had made for his birthday gift that he had just unwrapped. Here’s the blanket’s backstory. His wife had assured me that he would “just love” a hand-knit blanket as a special gift from me the previous year. Believing her, I went to work selecting an attractive pattern and colorful, soft yarns. I worked on it late at night when my infant was sleeping. It took me over six months of late night knitting and over $300 of expensive yarns to create this large, cozy blanket. Overhearing his disdainful question as I climbed the stairs, I felt that my time and effort was not appreciated. The comment still hurts as I recall it well over a decade later.

​Consider this contrasting scenario.

“Your eyebrows look really good today,” were the parting words on a Zoom meeting I had recently with a female colleague. Of course, I thanked her before we said goodbye and closed the meeting app. Her words stuck with me. I got up from my desk and went to the bathroom to look in the mirror. My eyebrows looked okay to me. I did not see anything special, but I thought about her words for the rest of the afternoon. She took less than three seconds to speak the words out loud and they made a positive impact that lasted for days.

These two stories have one thing in common. Both focus on spoken words that made a lasting impact. King Solomon started the collection of maxims which became the book of Proverbs to keep wise sayings in one place, much like a catalog of wisdom. His desire was for his spoken words to be remembered and have a lasting impact. 1 Kings 4:29 tells us, “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore.” One-third of the book of Proverbs is framed as advice a father offers to a son, a parent to a child. Much of that advice is focused on how a wise person treats other people. Heeding biblical advice shows strength of character. To strengthen character and to build healthy relationships, Proverbs 3:27 advises, “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” Both comments spoken to me in the stories above made an impact. But only one made a good impact on my heart and brightened my day.

Has someone ever done something for you that made a lasting impression? Maybe they complimented a skill you possess. Or perhaps noticed a positive change or habit you were implementing. Or maybe it was something simple like, “Your hair looks good today.”

You have the power to shower goodness on everyone God puts in your path.
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This proverb offers a greater challenge. Think about the people you encounter on a daily basis. Some of them may live inside your house, others you may encounter in person outside your home, or even virtually. Can you be the kind of woman who seizes brief moments to make a positive impact on others by offering a simple compliment or positive observation? Solomon, the wise king, thought this was good advice. Take his guidance to heart and do not withhold goodness from others. A well-spoken, timely word can change someone’s day!

Memory Verse: ​ “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act.” Proverbs 3:27

About the Author

Hi, I’m Dana Schaefer! Along with my husband and children, we make our home in northwest Georgia. I currently work as an Academic Dean at Heritage Bible College and am pursuing a doctoral degree. I love digging deeper into the Bible and finding encouragement, understanding, and truth to share with others. I love sunrises at the beach, rooibos tea, and crossword puzzles!