“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Thy sight…” (Psalm 19:14)
It’s all about the words that we say, all about the words that are written on our heart. Do we really say what we mean, or are we going for the thrill of the moment, the self-indulgence of our flesh…
Last night, I missed the mark. While at an outing with my husband someone referred to me as Ms. Brown, and I quickly corrected them, stating it was Mrs. Brown. Since we were friends, there was some laughter and teasing, and I lost sight of my actions (or my words), and said, “Just call me Dawn.”
At the moment, I thought it was quite funny, and got the jolt of excitement from making others laugh.
This morning my husband explained his embarrassment and pain to me. With my opening remark he stated he couldn’t be prouder, I was aligning myself with him…only to quickly break his heart by removing my alliance and dropping his name completely.
At first when he spoke to me about it, I thought it really didn’t seem like a huge deal…BUT…
I have learned that even if the smallest of comments meant no offense, if the person was offended, then I am wrong.
If I am going for the laugh at the expense of someone else, then I am wrong.
The smallest, most insignificant comments can hurt the most. Case in point – last night, my words hurt my husband, and spoke something into our relationship that I can only apologize for, and seek his forgiveness.
As I write this I think about Psalm 19:14 and I have to wonder, how significant did God find my words last night? Were they acceptable in His sight?
“Words kill; words give life; their either poison or fruit – you choose.”
(Proverbs 18:21)
Granted when I was making my remark, I wasn’t looking to choose a poisonous fruit or kill anyone…
Then again, I have to think about all the little side comments that have been said at my expense, and how many times they have broken off pieces of my heart…
What is poisonous fruit? What about murmuring, complaining, teasing and sarcasm, judging others, gossip, lying?
The list goes on and on. It is funny how as a society, we find the little white lie okay, it is the big lies that cause trouble. Or how we feel it is okay to discuss someone else or their issues, criticizing or judging them…without knowing the full story.
Let’s be honest, how many of us have had someone think something about us, that just was not true… and had they only asked, well…
Trust me; I am no saint in this department. I struggle with my words daily…
So, what do we do?
There is a television show called The Stranger; that retells stories of the Bible in current day settings. Jesus is the stranger that finds himself in the middle of the storyline each week. The stories are from Mary and Martha, to the prodigal son, and so on. The one thing that I am always fascinated by is the way the character of Jesus interacts with the other characters on the show.
The way He communicated speaks such love, such understanding…no condemnation, no matter what was said, there was patience, there was peace. It was as if the person was exposed fully, and was still loved for everything they were at that moment and everything they had the potential of being.
Love is about our communication with other people. I am learning that I need to communicate love, respect, peace, admiration, acceptance, positivity, and so many other things into the people around me. I am learning to hold my tongue, and to be patient with my words, ensuring that each word that leaves my mouth is capable of producing fruit, and not swallowing someone else up. I am learning that I want to be more like Jesus…a person whose words can change the life of many because of the power that lies in our ability to communicate effectively.
So to my husband, I am sorry for my words last night… I realize that our communication about each other and to each other is a display of our love, for all the world to see…I love you and I am sorry.
To God, please help me to communicate my words of Your love to a world around me. Help the words that leave my mouth be acceptable to You, and capable of Your life bearing fruit.
More From Dawn
Meet & Greet