Words Matter: Proverbs 16:24

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 16:24

My middle child, Keith, is a talkative charmer. He has a way about him that draws others in and will more often than not strike up a conversation with anyone. I am not sure if it's his wooing personality, the sweet smile couple with his twinkly blue eyes, or something entirely different but everything about that boy is pure charisma.

Yesterday morning Keith galloped into the family room in his airplane pajamas. He had a soft cloth block on his head for a hat and was singing "God is on the move, on the move, allejulia!" at the too of his lungs. He stopped in front of me to perform, hoping to draw out a smile but trying desperately to act causal about his goal. The little man was putting on a show that made me beam but it was what he was singing that made me so happy. Deep down to the core of my mama heart I was so happy that he was praising Jesus. He could have run in singing any song but this is the music that fill our home. God's praise is on my sons lips.

Keith was an early talker and we call him our parrot becaue he repeats everything we say.  I often hear Keith say things that make me strive to have kind, encouraging, uplifting words and watch that I don't have negativity coming out of my mouth. After bath when I comb his hair he tells me that he is handsome because we always tell him how handsome he is. He repeats that he is kind, funny, a good friend, a great big brother, and that he is loved. Oh, how that boy is loved!

These little moments remind me that what fills our home impacts those that live there. The music that we listen to can put praises to the Lord or pleasant words on our lips. The encouragement we offer to eachother can impact our self-image. Being intentional about telling people we love them out loud can build them up. The words that come from our moth, the words that fill our home, the words that flood the ears of our children have a profound effect on their self view and what comes out of their own mouth.

Dear Heavenly Father, please anoint my mouth with your Holy Sprit to speak truth, encouragement, and uplifting words to those around me.  My my words be pleasing to you and may I be intentional in how I talk to my children so that I build them up when I speak to them. I pray, Lord, you forgive me for the times I have not honored you in my speech and ask you bless me with self control.

Amen

On Encouragement: 1 Thessalonians 9:11

Encourage one another and build one another up.

1 Thessalonians 9:11

This past Sunday I stood in church singing worship songs which brought some needed peace. I was overwhelmed with getting a four year old, a two year old, and a three week old to church on my own that morning. I had not gotten much sleep because my sweet girl was struggling with her digestion and up screaming for hours the past night. Brian had worked 17 hours until 6am and was at home getting the needed rest I craved. It was his first week back and I had struggled to find my footing having three kids on my own. I desperately needed to be at church so come hell or high water I was going to make it that morning and I did.

I was greeted with lots of cheer. It encouraged me to be welcomed into fellowship with other believers that morning. My boys were checked into their classrooms after a few extra snuggles for Keith who protested staying without me and I walked into service late, but I was there. I stood in service, Quinn snuggled up against me in a baby wrap, and lifted my hands to the Lord. It was a moment of pure, exhausted surrender. It was good to be where I was.

After church, one of my dearest friends and her husband came my way. We quickly caught up on each others week and when asked how I was I suddenly, to my surprise, felt my eyes fill with tears. I was tired. I was weary. I was happy. I was overwhelmed. I was feeling accomplished and defeated at the same time. I was a whole host of emotions and in that moment I teared up realizing how flooded with emotion my heart had been. Life was good but I was tired. I needed someone to listen to me and remind me I could do this. My friend gave me a big hug, reminded me that the hard times get better and the sweet times pass quickly so enjoy them...and get a nap.

Later that week that same friend brought me coffee and not one but two chocolate bars. She was speaking my love language. I don't like big extravagant gifts but a random cup of coffee and a chocolate bar letting me know I was thought of  reminded me how loved and valued I am. This friend encouraged me to no end this week and I felt a new sense of energy and calmness in my parenting. Sometimes, simply sending a card, asking how someone is doing and really stopping to listen, sending a random gift, giving an encouraging word or finding a simple way to walk alongside others, building them up can be just what someone needs. Encouragement can lift moods, instill wisdom, change behaviors, and movtivate others so I hope you are on the lookout for hearts that need a little building up.

Lord, help me to see others who need to be encouraged and built up as you have called me to do in your word. I pray you give me eyes to see the hurting, the tired, the discouraged hearts of you people and find ways to purposefully show them love. I want to be a tool that will bless your people so they can carry on the work you have called them to do.

Amen