One Thing You Need to Hear {and Say} Today

 Earlier this week, I met the Most Perky Panera Employee ever.

Her name was Anna, and she sported a cute pixie cut that made her Panera apron look fashionable. As she took my order, her words bounced throughout the store like a pep squad leader’s, cheerful and bright. Given the late evening time, I wondered if she’d thrown back more than one espresso through the course of the day.

Not long after taking my seat close to the counter, a teenage boy plodded in, feet heavy and tired. He approached the counter, fingers combing his sandy blonde hair as he mumbled to Anna,

“Um, can I…uh…get a job application?” 

Anna immediately went into action.

“Of course! I’d be thrilled to help you out!” she leans slightly across the counter, her smile sparkling. “Now listen, you can find everything you need online. Go to panera.com and fill out their application tonight, k? Don’t skip any of the parts! Then come here first thing tomorrow morning and turn it in. That’s what I did and I got a call for an interview within a few days!”

The boy looks bewildered but nods.

 “And you know what else?”  Anna chirps. “I’ll be here in the morning! Yep, I’ll be here first thing. I’ll make sure your application gets to *juuuust* the right person, k? Does that sound good to you?”  

He answers a bit more confidently,

“Well, yes. Thank you.”

And then she threw one last cartwheel into her pep talk,

“Great! You know what? You’re as good as hired, I just know it! I’m rooting for you!” 

After one more thank you he turned and left, his footsteps noticeably lighter. Obviously, the boy couldn’t help but feel buoyed by her cheerleader words and effervescent enthusiasm.

While we don’t all have the personality or comfort level to tell a stranger we’re rooting for them, perhaps we can be brave and kind enough to gift these words to someone we do know. There’s no doubt that words give life. Their weight and movement can energize people and give them confidence to not only see themselves the way their Creator does, but to do things they might not have had the courage to do otherwise.

“Putting an emotion into words gives it a life and a reality that otherwise it doesn’t have.” ~Arthur Gordon

We all know death words and criticism do harm, but I think we underestimate just how motivating – and reality changing – life words can be. On an ordinary Tuesday in Panera, I am surprised to see this in action.

On each day thereafter, I hope I don’t forget.

 I’m rooting for you.

On Thursdays ’round here, we share out of the blue stories. Just tell us how God used something right out of the blue to build your faith, give you joy, or encourage your heart in the midst of your day. 

Some things to remember:

1. New to link-up’s or have questions about out of the blue? Read this first.

2. Since we all dig surprises, please surprise another writer by leaving a comment on her post *or* by giving her a facebook shout-out or tweet. Use the hashtag: #outoftheblue. 

3. Be sure to include the out of the blue banner {see above} in your post or link back to Chasing Blue Skies so your readers can join in the fun. That way, we can all easily find each other. 

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