Only 7% of our communication with each other involves the words we choose. That means a staggering 93% of all communication is non-verbal. Research has shown 38% is tone and pitch while 55% is made up of body language and non-verbal language. Being stuck behind closed doors means that all we have just now is 7% of the ability to communicate with each other. Even our communication is in lock-down – in a straight-jacket!

Choosing our words wisely and kindly is, therefore, more important than ever. This fits right in with what the Bible teaches. In Ephesians 4:29 we read that we should watch the way we talk and ensure that each word is a gift. Colossians 4:6 is even more practical in its advice: “Be gracious in your speech. The goal is to bring out the best in others in a conversation, not put them down, not cut them out.”

This is all the more relevant now that we long for the chance to communicate again with friends and family. Dreaming about the first opportunity for a chat or proper conversation after lockdown, what are you looking forward too? If you haven’t thought about that, why not take a moment to think about that? And then, once you’ve thought about it, why not send a text message to share those thoughts and a kind encouraging word for the rest of the week?

I wish you the best of everything. In the words of the Irish blessing:

May the roads rise up to meet you. May the wind be always at your back. May the sun shine warm upon your face. May the rains fall soft upon fields, and until we meet again, may God hold you in the palm of his hand.

Every blessing

Jaco