Words....to speak or not to speak...

"Words which do not give the light of Christ increase the darkness."  Mother Teresa

Words are powerful, expressive and influential thoughts verbalized from the mouth.  They lift up or tear down.  They represent integrity, intelligence, character and spirit. Words...often say the most about us...yet are often prepared the least within us. Words...once spoken, may never be retrieved. 

I admit that I speak fewer words in this chapter of my life than I have ever spoken previously.  For I have learned, far too many times, that it is much wiser to speak fewer, reviewed words than to speak more words never reviewed.  I have spoken words that I wish I could undo...but I can't.  I have heard words spoken to me...or about me...that I wish I had not heard...but they were.  I have spoken words that were, unknowingly, the final words I would ever speak to someone.  I have cherished final words that were spoken to me.  I have learned that what we speak is important, influential and immeasurable.

Words....represent our heart, our mind, our soul, our lives. Words...matter.  They matter to us.  They matter to others.  They matter to God. 

Perhaps the best way to consider our words before we speak is to determine whether or not they honor, praise or please God.  Colossians 3: 17 says "And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him."

I wonder...what a difference it would make if we would weigh our words more carefully.  I pray...that what I speak will bring more love than pain, more peace than strife and more hope than despair.  May my words be much more about Him and much less about me. <3~thl

"May the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer."  Psalm 19: 14