Lately, I have been thinking about how much tone matters. Like many people, I receive a lot of emails, texts, and messages throughout the day. Most are from good people with good intentions. However, sometimes I get messages that say something like, “I need you to do this.” Now, I know the person probably isn’t trying to be rude. In fact, they usually come from good people that I respect, but there is a big difference between being told and being asked.
Compare “I need you to do this” with “I know you’re busy, but would you be able to help me with this?” The request is essentially the same, but the second acknowledges that the other person has a life, responsibilities, and demands on their time. It recognizes their time is valuable, just like yours.
The older I get, the more I realize that respect is often communicated in very small ways. A “please,” “thank you,” or a simple acknowledgment that what we are asking requires time and effort from someone else. I think we all fall into the trap sometimes. We get busy. We have deadlines. We become focused on our own needs and forget that everyone around us is carrying burdens we cannot see.
Jesus modeled this kind of respect throughout His ministry. Whether speaking with his disciples, the Samaritan woman at the well, or those society often overlooked, he always took the time to truly see them, listen to them, and meet them where they were. The way we speak to others should reflect that same spirit.
This week, pay attention to how you ask for things. Not because you need to be overly formal or walk on eggshells, but because small acts of courtesy remind others that they matter. A little kindness in our words costs us nothing, but it can completely change how someone experiences their day.
