Words

I've always been a "words person". I LOVE learning new words, their roots, their history, the depth of meaning behind them. I love reading and hearing beautiful words. My love language is most definitely words of affirmation. My dear husband, being an acts of service man, has learned to do those acts of service while saying, "you are wonderful, my dear." :) He probably looks at me blankly while I'm gushing about how great he is, as he wonders why supper is not on the table yet. :) Ahhhh, marriage. :)
Being a words person has also made me much more of a Mary than a Martha. Even when people come to my house, I find myself getting involved in a deep discussion and forgetting there are thirsty people who need to be offered a glass of water. :)

Reading through the Bible, I think we are all "words people". It's one way we were created in the image of God, who spoke the world into existence, who spoke healing over the sick, who Himself was the Word. There are so many scriptures about the power of our words, especially in the Proverbs. "The mouth of the righteous is a well of life" (10:11); "The lips of the righteous feed many" (10:21); "The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom (10:31); "The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable" are just a few from chapter 10! One of my favorites is, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit"(18:21). How powerful! Death and life! Words speak death or life. You choose.

I've also become very aware of the power of my words over my children. I still remember words that were spoken to me as a child from various sources; some good, some bad. All of it is still a part of me, all of it has a voice in my head that either helps or hurts. Being with my children all day every day certainly presents a challenge to making sure the words that go into their heads and hearts are good words.

God recently gave me an idea for one small way to incorporate good words into our day. Specifically, words of TRUTH. At breakfast, before the day really even begins, we say three things: 1) Something true about God, 2) Something true about ourselves, 3) Something true about today. For instance: 1) Something true about God: "The day is Yours, the night also is Yours; You have prepared the light and the sun. You have set all the boundaries of the earth; You have made summer and winter." (Psalm 74: 16-17). This day, this season, belongs to HIM and is in His hand! 2) Something true about ourselves: "Everyone who is called by My Name, whom I have created for My glory; I have formed him, yes, I have made him." We are called by His Name, created for His glory, formed by Him! 3) Something true about today: The Lord made it (Psalm 118:24), The Lord is commanding His lovingkindness in it (Psalm 42:8), His mercies are new today (Lamentations). When we begin the day just stating truth from His Word aloud and declaring it over the day, I have found that our days have more meaning and we see Him in it more. Words. Just choosing words of life at the start of the day.

I've made a personal goal to blog about various WORDS once a week. I hesitate to say that because, well, life happens and I know how many goals I have set that I haven't achieved. But that is the goal because I was reading in Matthew 10 recently where Jesus told His disciples, "Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; whatever you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops." I felt He was reminding me to spread the ideas and words He is giving me and not just keep them to myself. So that is the goal!

Have a great day and remember: He is good; He goes before me; This day has been prepared in advance. Those three things.