You could see him crumble during the postgame conversation. He’d had a tough game. He knew it. Everyone knew it. And especially his dad–his coach–knew it. But he didn’t crumble until his dad’s crushing words slammed against him outside the field after the game. “What were you thinking? Why couldn’t you make that play? Three strikeouts??? If that’s the best you can do, maybe baseball isn’t for you.”

You could see him light up during the postgame conversation. He’d had a tough game. He knew it. Everyone knew it. And especially his dad–his coach–knew it. He was about to crumble until his dad’s words arrived like a 6-4-3 double play for a pitcher in a jam. “Tough game, huh? They won’t all be like that, but some of them will. Baseball is hard and today wasn’t great, but I still love to watch you play and I still love you, even if you have a tough game.”

Proverbs 18:21–“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”

Death.

Life.

Our words can bring both. It’s our choice. Every day. Every practice. Every game. Every conversation. With everyone.

Lord Jesus, your words always brought life, even on the cross. I need you to transform my heart so that my words can transform others. Amen.