Words Are Powerful.

WORDS ARE POWERFUL. The right words can help someone accomplish big things. Don’t believe it? Just look at what happened at the 2002 United States Women’s Open.

Heading into the tournament’s final day, Juli Inkster, a 42-year-old mother of two, trailed Annika Sorenstam by two strokes for the lead. On Saturday night, Inkster had received an e-mail from her 12-year-old daughter. The encouraging message lifted the mother’s attitude. Hayley’s note read, “Good luck, Mom, you can do it.”

After tweaking her swing on the driving range early in the morning, Inkster quickly shaved one stroke from the lead with a birdie on No. 3. Then she chipped in for a second birdie on 6 to tie. Another birdie at 7 followed as Inkster took the lead for good at the Prairie Dunes Country Club.

In the meantime, Sorenstam played cautiously, protecting her position. Although she birdied No. 5, the Swedish golfer took a bogey on 8 and didn’t card another birdie until 14.

On the 15th hole, Inkster landed in the rough beside the green, pitched 15 feet past the hole, and sank a par-saving putt. A birdie on 16 propelled her to a three-stroke lead, and the California native finished the day with a 4-under-par 66. Her four-day total of 276 edged out Sorenstam for the title by two strokes.

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POINT Juli Inkster gave high fives to the fans who praised her as she ran to the scoring tent after her victory. The support of her family and friends helped perfect her attitude, while the extra practice adjustments helped perfect her swing. And the encouraging words of her daughter made a difference too.

A woman in the Bible received similar accolades. And like Inkster, she worked hard to accomplish noble tasks. It’s important to remember that our parents deserve and relish our praise and encouragement—no matter how old they are and no matter how old we are.

GOAL! Read Proverbs 31:10-31. Write or e-mail encouraging words to older family members. Praise God for the noble things they do.