“I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it, until it begins to shine.”
― Emily Dickinson

In my morning devotions, I was reading in the book of James about the tongue and how difficult it is to bridle, how it’s so small, yet can set a forest to blaze, so to speak.  Since I try to not only read, but meditate on these truths, I started pondering some daily scenarios regarding our speech.  Our words really are so powerful and the minute they leave our mouths, can set forth producing good or evil.

Think about your morning.  If you were kind, encouraging, kissed your spouse or children goodbye covering them with words of love and blessing, you set the course for a good day.  On the other hand, if you grumbled and complained, argued or belittled, and didn’t bother to say goodbyes because you were just being stubborn (or whatever the case may be), the day started on a sour note. I remember back in the days when I actually had to take a child to school and they would get out of the car angry with me, I would always say, “I love you” anyway, whether they responded or not.  I wanted them to know my love was unconditional. I’m very blessed that my husband will not leave in the morning without kisses, hugs and “I love you”.

I’m not saying any of this is easy; we all have our bad days, the mornings when we wish the house was quiet and we could drink our coffee all by ourselves.  Maybe you don’t feel well (which I’ve struggled with the past few mornings), or you couldn’t sleep or you have worries that are plaguing your heart.  However, the first step to making things better is realizing there is a problem.  Maybe we can all reflect on our words this morning and set out to produce change.

We can look at Facebook posts and see how people set the tone for their day and those around them by their words.  We can be positive and try to say something useful, or we can offer negativity, hatefulness and bitterness.  I cringe when I read some of the posts because I know the power that words have to bless and heal, but also to hurt and destroy.  I love the saying of Thumper in the Disney movie, Bambi; “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say nuthin at all”.  My kids heard that over and over again growing up.

I also believe that if we sit and listen to the gossip and ill-will that is spoken against others, we become partakers.  People might stop talking so much trash if we simply refused to listen to it.  Let’s think about our words before they pour forth from our mouths.  Are they daggers or arrows, headed off our tongues to offend or hurt?  Or are they more like honey?  Do they soothe and comfort, bringing happiness and peace?

Blessings on this beautiful Friday morning!