Speak Genuinely

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body.  (Proverbs 16:24)

I had a professor in seminary who spoke in a cadence all of the time. When I would see him, he would say, “How are you doing, Mr. Dodd?” I wanted to say it back the way he spoke, but I didn't. I just said, “I'm okay, thank you.” That’s how he talked.

I was thinking to myself, “Something's messed up here. He sounds like he is preaching to me right now.” I thought to myself, “Did he grow up like that?” He probably said, “Mother, could I have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich today?” I’m sure that’s not what happened, but something happened along the way that caused him to develop an affected speech pattern that sounded preachy. It sounded like Billy Graham.

This experience taught me that your speech is everything. God just wants you to be real when it comes to the way you speak to people. Don't change yourself; just be yourself and be honest. You don't have to show off what you have, who you are, or how intelligent you might be. Just be sincere, and sincerely care about people when you connect with them. That is the key. Just be real all of the time. As my assistant says, “Just be you because everyone else is taken.”

We are all different. We come from all kinds of backgrounds, all kinds of denominational experiences, and from different parts of the country. The main thing that will keep us together is love, love that is sincere. I pray that you would practice that today and in the days to come.