This afternoon I stared at the sheer volume of books on our bookshelves. I love books. My husband loves books. We’ve got a lot of books. And I thought of all those words and ideas and opinions held in those friends.
I have taken in lots of words over my life. Written words. Spoken words. Words that brought life. Words that felt like death.
Letters. Books. Blogs. Social Media. News. Movies. Friends. Neighbors. Prayers. Journals. Words everywhere. Words carefully spoken. Words carelessly thrown.
Words have power.
“Words satisfy the mind as much as fruit does the stomach;
good talk is as gratifying as a good harvest.
Words kill, words give life;
they’re either poison or fruit—you choose.” – Proverbs 18:20-21 (Message)
We may not always have power over the words spoken to us and over us.
We do have power in the words we choose to speak. Poison or fruit.
When we choose life giving, fruit bearing words, we receive beauty and we offer beauty.
Beauty in…..
Gracious words that soothe our soul and bring healing.
Encouraging words that offer us courage when we have none of our own.
Challenging words that remind us of who we are, of who we are made to be.
Truthful words that endure forever and are a light to our path.
Thoughtful words that have taken the time to be covered by love.
Wise words that aren’t seeking to be right or to win a fight.
Words that come in response to have listened, rather than just waiting their turn to talk.
Redemptive words that flow from an intimacy with God.
Building up words that bring grace to those who hear.
And the most beautiful words of all. The ones our Father speaks over you. Telling you that you are loved. You are valued and have great worth. You have purpose and He will never leave you. Never stop pursuing you.
Never.
That is the beauty of the One True Word.
This past year I wrote a Guest Post (What Happens When We Hold Our Words Hostage) at Claire De Boer’s The Gift of Writing. It recounts the importance of words, of writing in my life. You can read it here.
I am participating in The Nester’s 31 Days of Series. Click right here to see all the amazing topics! I am writing on 31 Beauty Full Days. You can read the intro post here. And you can also always click on the button on the sidebar to see all posts in the series.
Lastly, if you want to receive the series via email, enter your email address in the Subscribe box. Once you do, you will receive a confirmation email and after you verify it, you will start getting them!
{top image credit- words added}
Linking with Testimony Tuesday
What an inspiring post and so true. We cannot choose the words that are spoken to us, the words we receive, but we can choose the words we speak out to others. And it is so important to choose wisely! Thank you
Hi Chrissy
Yes, I want to choose wisely. I can tell when I am tired, impatient, etc….and the words that come out to my children are not the ones I want to speaking over them.
Thank you for such beautiful thoughts on words. I really love: “Redemptive words that flow from an intimacy with God.” That is my prayer <3
Sarah, I will join you in praying that. Isaiah 35 has always been a favorite passage….and that is what comes to mind with that phrase!
Simply beautiful, Melanie.
The words He speaks over us… yes, those are the words I have to remind myself of every day (and will never get tired of hearing!).
Many blessings, Anna
I too want to hear his words over all the other. Praying for us both to remember those. Thanks for your encouragement.
Oh Melanie, I loved this post most of all in your series, so far! “Redemptive words that flow from an intimacy with God.” That. Exactly that. I will be chewing on this for a LONG time. What a gift your words are, here, today.
Hi Missy
Wow, thank you…thank you for reading the series and encouraging.
Isaiah 35 is a favorite passage and when I wrote ‘redemptive words’ it was those verses I was thinking of. I desire so much to speak redemptive words…ones that help sorrow and sighing flee away.
Beautifully written post Melanie – thank you for this great reminder!!! I look forward to following the rest of your series. God bless you sweet sister. I am so glad you were one of the five women who posted above me today so I could “happen” upon your words!!!
Hi Larissa
I’m glad you were by me too! It is fun to discover blogs I wouldn’t have known about.
Thank you for your encouragement and for your words.
I love words! And love the impact they can have. Whether they are the Words of God spoken to us or the words of love that we share with others. We have a responsibility to use our words wisely as well. Thank you for linking up to Testimony Tuesday!
Hi Holly
I am so glad to have found your link up….and to be reading your words.
Yes, I want to remember my responsibility to use my words wisely. I can tell when I’m tired, distracted, etc and the words are not the ones I want to be flowing.
Fruit or poison … wow! I am going to commit that to memory!
Me too! I had never read this verse in the Message and that really impacted me.
I LOVE your phrase “fruit or poison.” This is the post every Facebook gossiper needs to read…ok..ok..ok…me too! Thanks!
Hi Bethany
I had not read this Proverbs verse in the message and that phrase really caught my attention. And umm, yes me too. Thanks for your words!