Hey everyone! Last weekend, I organized the blog menu so that you can easily find a specific post, recipe or project. Just click under the menu tab and it will allow you to see images of my posts. Hope it makes things easier to navigate things around here. 

A few weeks ago, I read this quote that really resonated with me. “The words you speak aren’t neutral – they’re either moving your relationships towards life or moving your relationships towards death.” Paul David Tripp  In this video, Tripp talks about how our words have direction to them. There is no neutrality. 

Recently, I had a conversation with a girlfriend and we shared about how much power our words have. We have the ability to encourage, edify and affirm or the total opposite in discouraging, condemning and even crushing another person. 

I won’t lie, the past two weeks were a little crazy with all the missed school days, cold weather keeping us indoors and our schedules swaying from the norm. Throw in a sick child, tons of online homework, a husband out of town and a stir crazy mom and kids and guess what you get? Let’s just say at one point, I sat the kids down and confessed my lack of love in my speech and patience in my attitude and asked for forgiveness. They are always so gracious in accepting my apologies and we had a heart to heart talk about the power of our words because this also rings true in their relationship with one another. 

I think in moments where there is stress, our true character comes out. It’s easy to be a likable and easy-going person when things are going our way and circumstances are great. Our speech is a great indication of what’s going on inside our hearts. 

It’s kind of scary how much kids absorb what we say and do. They easily imitate what they see and many times, show us a reflection of our own selves. It’s humbling to say the least because it really can be a slap in the face. 

I’m certain God made disciplining difficult to keep us on our knees! Just the time I think I’m doing well as a mom, the Lord rightfully puts me in my place! It’s a good thing I guess because it reminds me that I am but a steward of these precious miracles of life before me here on this earth. I am not capable on my own but I only have the confidence to shepherd them because He gives me the grace and wisdom to do so. Where I fall short, thank goodness for God’s grace that covers those areas. Thank God for community too because it plays a major role in not only maintaining my sanity but reflects God’s heart for us to live life together and not alone. 

My anniversary post was the most popular one to date. I believe it’s because we all have a desire for love and want healthy relationships in our lives whether that be in a marriage or in general. In your life, maybe it’s not children but the way you speak to your spouse. Does your speech point them towards life or death? Do you easily pick out the flaws in your husband/wife and constantly nag or belittle them? Try speaking a word of encouragement and affirming a certain strength or gift that God has given them. Instead of focusing on their flaws or shortcomings or what you wish they could be, thank them for the specific talents and the things they do well. I bet you will visibly see a difference in their countenance. Don’t allow the enemy to gain a foothold in your marriage this way in being short sighted and seeing the ways you think they fall short. There is much to be celebrated in every one and the more they are encouraged by your words, the more they will grow in their gifts. I believe in a marriage, your spouse holds the most power in lifting you up or tearing you down. We are all broken, sinful and fall short but God loves all of us the same. Try to look at your spouse in the same light and if that’s difficult, start with confessing that to the Lord and asking for him to change your heart. Confess that to your spouse to start the reconciliation and healing process. Be encouraged because God has the ultimate power to heal and transform a marriage. I have seen this happen many times and know it’s truly a miraculous thing! Start by speaking words of healing and love to your spouse and make that a habit. See what happens. Don’t wait for the other to begin. It can start with you.

Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body. Proverbs 16:24

Again, maybe it’s not children or spouse but your sibling, parents, co-worker, etc.

But now you must put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and obscene talk from your mouth. Colossians 3:8 

God first showed us the the power of words by demonstrating from the very beginning by speaking the earth earth into existence.