It has been SO long since I have sat down to write. I have missed it so much. This new season of life has been a little more rushed than I would like. Alan and I have been working on finding our rhythm. I will be 100% real with you. After a long day of teaching 4th graders and lesson planning, the last thing I want to do is write. My brain is usually overstimulated or totally fried, and all I want to do is relax and not have to think.
Although I sometimes feel like I am running on a cup of cold coffee (because who am I kidding, the coffee get’s cold before I have time to drink it all), this new season of life has been a huge answer to prayers. The Lord has been really good to Alan and me. He has provided in ways we didn’t expect. And even though working with kids can be exhausting, man did I miss it.
Anyways, enough of an “intro,” let’s skip to the good stuff. I have been learning so much in this new stage of life. As I was organizing all my thoughts to write, I realized that the majority of the nuggets that I have been learning have to do with our words. So grab a cup of coffee (hopefully it doesn’t get cold like mine does), and let’s get into it!
- People’s words only have power over you IF you let them. Proverbs 18:21 says that life and death are in the power of the tongue. When I was younger, my mouth often got the best of me. I was VERY sassy, and I let everyone know what was on my mind from my parents to my poor Kindergarten teacher. To discipline me, my mom would make me sit down and write Proverbs 12:18 a good 25 times. “Careless words cut like a knife, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” I guess it worked because I still have this verse memorized (not sure which translation because I was about 5 years old), and now I am someone who wants to speak life and bring healing with my tongue. Sometimes people say careless things and it cuts deep. But no matter what is said, I encourage you to not let those words stir in your mind or heart. Let them roll off your shoulders, and you can even be the person to build them up and speak life into them.
- Maturity and wisdom are knowing when to remain silent and listen instead of speaking your piece. James 3:13-18 talks about divine wisdom.“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peace-loving, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without pretense. And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who cultivate peace (James 3:17-18, CSB).” I know that this verse is not just talking about the way that we speak. But as disciples of Christ, our words should be seasoned with grace, tear down dividing walls, and demonstrate mercy and gentleness. I have learned that there is a time to speak up, and also a time to bite our tongues and just listen. When others are not open or able to receive truth, it is wise to be quiet and not try to prove your point. Talking in circles is not practicing wisdom from above or being a cultivator of peace. So, if saying your part doesn’t create unity, then what is the point? Let God be your Defender.
- The words that come out of mouths reveal what is in our heart (Matthew 15:18). I want my heart to be full of grace, genuine love, and gratitude. I pray that my words reflect that.
- Talk to Jesus before you talk to others. I have noticed that if something happens, I tend to pick up my phone and call on some of my prayer warriors right away. The thing is: I do this before I have even talked to God about it myself. Obviously it is vital to have your prayer warriors on speed dial. But the thing that I have been feeling convicted of is that I rather go talk to them and spill all the deets or spiral into gossip over what happened instead of running to Jesus with everything first. The Father should always be the first on our speed dial.
I have got to share with you that the Word of God seriously has helped guide me through some difficult situations. I think oftentimes people read the Bible because they know it is the right “Christian” thing to do (I have totally done this), but God’s Word truly is alive and active. I have been reading the Bible my whole life, and yet there is always something new jumping out at me. It is our guide to know how to walk the narrow path. During this new etapa as we say in Spanish (meaning period or season), I sure am glad that I have the Scriptures to go to.
I pray that as Christ followers in a really dark world, that we cultivate peace, use our mouths to speak life, and that our words show others that Jesus is the King of our hearts. That is it for now, friends!
Journey to Dominican 