"The tongue can bring death or life." (Proverbs 18:21)

My friend Mark Ellis, the Midwest Director of FCA Wrestling, first introduced me to this powerful verse in 2017 when he came to my school to do a summer wrestling clinic. Each time I've worked with him or watched him at camps or clinics, he's referenced this verse, and it carries so much power. You can give life with your words, or you can take it. 

In the years since, I've used this scripture with my high school and youth wrestlers, my son's soccer teams, and students in the classroom. 

This morning, it hit me harder than ever before how powerful it can be. As I scrolled through my Facebook feed, I read about the passing of a coach whom I hadn't thought about in a long time. Mike Atlee, a man whom I hadn't seen in even longer. 

23 years ago, Coach Atlee went out of his way to compliment me to my wrestling coach. All I'd done was strike up a conversation with him about soccer. I was a 17-year-old senior competing at regionals hosted by Wichita Heights. I didn't think much of it; I'd just thought it was cool to find another wrestling guy who was also a soccer guy. Coach Atlee praised my friendliness and character. He didn't have to do that.

Six years later, I was coaching at my alma mater and ran into Coach Atlee at regionals, which was hosted by Wichita Southeast that year. He took the time to come up to me and compliment my coaching. "I can tell that you've returned home. Your boys look really good."

Coach Atlee never needed to say either of those things, but those little actions had huge impacts on me as a coach. He praised my character and my coaching abilities.

He gave life with his words, which proved to be a major stone in the foundation of who I am as a coach, teacher, father, husband, and Christian. My heart goes out to his family.

I realized that I'd never thanked him for what he said. I wished I'd taken the time to thank him personally, but all I can do now is thank his family.

Realize the power of your words, and don't wait until tomorrow to express your gratitude. God bless!

Moment of Kaizen: 

• What coaches / mentors have impacted you in a major way, yet through small means? 
• How can you show your gratitude for these small gestures that had huge impacts? 
• How can you pay it forward yourself? 

Related Passage: "I will comfort those who mourn, bringing words of praise to their lips. May they have abundant peace, both near and far." (Isaiah 57:18-19)

Think of the impact your words can have -- on athletes and on fellow coaches. Use your words to bring peace to those whom you encounter. Christ compels us all to speak His good word, while the devil urges us to take life and good energy away with negative words. 

June 20, 2021

This article is a part of a series of Coaches Devotionals that I will be writing over the course of the next year. Please click here if you would like to receive email notifications when a new devotional is published.