STEPHENS: Encouraging words can't be said too often

As my wife and I secured the house for the night, we stopped by our daughter’s bedroom to say goodnight. Before we could get to the doorway the child sprung up and met us. Smiling, she shared goodnights and turned to head back into the abyss she called her room. As we approached our door a faint voice could be heard coming from our daughter’s room. I must admit, the words she shared took me back a bit. As we walked, our daughter said, “Goodnight… You’re the best mom and dad a girl could ever want”.

For those words to be said, as any parent can attest, makes a guy feel pretty good. Especially coming from a teenager. The best part was that the words weren’t followed by a “can I borrow 20 bucks” or “can I go here or there.”

In a day and time where the hustle and bustle of this world seems to constantly be the driving factor behind all we do, kind words can help us keep it all in perspective. As I heard my child, I couldn’t do anything other than pause for a moment to allow my mind to process her words.

As I continued along my journey that evening, the smile on my face wouldn’t subside. Seemingly, all the hours of teaching, discipline, and mentoring had struck the right tone with the child, making my job as a dad worth it all. As I lay in my bed, doing my best to drift off to sleep, I felt content. Content not only in our little family’s environment, but likewise in our interactions and ultimately our desire to show kindness to others.

My daughter taught me important lessons through her words that night. Lessons that each of us should do our best to remember. First, she taught me that recognizing what we have and how that impacts our life is essential. Secondly, that it’s OK to say so. As we go about this busy life, we often forget to tell those closest to us just how important they are. This neglect can often leave a person spinning their wheels in a constant mode of mediocracy, feeling like they are simply surviving to do it all again tomorrow.

When we take the time to identify those around us who impact our lives and thank them, it is then that all the hard work, and dedication receives its payment. Share a kind word this week my friends. Give a hug or simply a smile. You never know the depth of your simple action and the importance it may just have on another.