WEDNESDAY WEEKLY WORD...lasting first impressions

The Bible has ALOT to say about greetings, probably more than you would expect. One of the things that I love about the Apostle Paul is how he was such an encourager! Have you ever noticed, when reading the Scriptures, how Paul took time to encourage and greet others warmly whenever they met? Near the end of Paul's letter to the Romans, he asked his fellow believers to greet 27 of his friends and loved ones for him. He even went so far as listing them by name.

Leaving a lasting impression with a warm greeting is not just for our friends though. Jesus noted in His Sermon on the Mount that even pagans speak kindly to people they like. It is easy to speak nice to those we like, but Jesus took it even a little further by suggesting that to be godly, we are to be humble and gracious enough to address even our enemies with kindness. This makes me question myself about how I address people in my world...

• How do I greet my friends, my co-workers and my neighbors?
• How about those people who I meet in public?
• Do I greet these people differently than those that are closest to me...my husband, my children, my pastor?
• What do I do that leaves a lasting first impression?

In last week's YOUR OPINION MATTERS POLL, I polled the readers the following question: "What leaves a good impression on you?" The top 3 answers were...

1. 69% of those voting said that a genuine smile leaves a lasting impression.
2. 47% voted and said that someone who encourages leaves a good impression.
3. 30% of those polled said that they are impressed with a stranger helping them out.

Seems to me that this poll is saying that actions speak louder than words! It's probably something we don't think about very often, but what is the first thing you say to your loved ones when you wake up? What kind of look is on your face when you ride in the car? What does your voice convey when you speak on the phone?

1 PETER 5:14 "Greet one another with a kiss of love."

I am asking God to make me more aware of how I greet others, not just strangers but my loved ones as well. I want every opportunity that I am given to be like the Apostle Paul's - to greet others with warmth, enthusiasm and like a kiss of love. Wouldn't that leave a lasting first impression?