Grace Words

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"Did I offer peace today? Did I bring a smile to someone's face? Did I say words of healing? Did I let go of my anger and resentment? Did I forgive? Did I love? These are the real questions. I must trust that the little bit of love that I sow now will bear many fruits, here in this world and the life to come." (Henri Nouwen)

A gentle answer makes anger disappear, but a rough answer makes it grow. (Proverbs 15:1)

My words make a difference - all our words do! We cannot 'make words' and then expect they will just 'hang out there' indefinitely. At some point, our words will either build up or tear down. Our words will help someone navigate life's challenges wisely, or they will turn them in a direction that causes them to veer off course. Words have an impact - good, bad, or simply confusing - they all matter.

We might not think we have much to say, but when we speak, do our words come across in a loving manner? Do they encourage one who is holding back on something God is asking them to do? Are they able to sift through the meaningless to find the deeper meaning? Words spoken from the heart of God are always on target. God doesn't mess around with words. Even when Jesus used a parable to tell people about God's love and care, he did it because the 'story' made it easier to grasp the truth.

Words may have been spoken to you throughout your lifetime that you have come to believe as 'truth', but they are simply words that brought much confusion, distrust, and angst into your life. There are just times when God has to 'retell' the truth in your life in order to undo the things that weren't actually 'correct'. Whenever we hold onto any untruth about ourselves, God is going to 'retell' the story. Why? He loves us too much for us to believe any lie!

God's Word is truth. The words he speaks into our lives through those deeply in love with him reflect truth. The more we surround ourselves with truth, the less likely we are to believe 'rough answers' in our live. We will gravitate toward those that are gentle, reflecting the grace of God instead. May your home be filled with tons of 'grace words', my friends. They matter! Just sayin!

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