Friday, February 8, 2008

It finally hit me

This afternoon, as I was visiting the blogs I usually read on a daily basis, what God has been trying to tell me finally hit me smack in the face. I have obviously heard Him a thousand times before, but for some reason just never listened. Maybe because it was going to be too much work to change.

This is what got me:

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Proverbs 18:21

WOW!!!

The things I say have the power of life and death. The power to crush a spirit or to raise it up.
How profound is that.

Sometimes in the rush of my morning, I don't always send my kids off to school with their spirits filled with love. They are crushed. I noticed it this morning in my sons face as I yelled at him to hurry it up. Get your shoes and socks on NOW!! The sparkle went out of his eyes.

My heart hurt for him. So I tried my best before that bus came to regain some sort of happiness for him so he wouldn't climb on the bus feeling dejected. I asked him if there was anything going on at school today that he was looking forward to? His eyes lit up as he said, " Yeah, my teacher is going to read a Junie B. Jones book about Valentine's Day!! Thank you Lord, he was back in good spirits.

When I look back at all the times I have sent them off to school feeling sad and lonely because of my words, it tears me up. Man, what power words have! The power of life and death.

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight.
Psalms 19:14

I now have these 2 verses taped everywhere in my house. They are on my bathroom mirror, the hood of my stove, the fireplace mantle, the bannister of the stairs, and even on the tank of the toilet! :)

If you would like to read what inspired me, go here and look for-- A Heart Tail. Thank you Ann, for allowing God to use you!! And most of all, thank you Lord for being patient with me. I finally got it! Because of Your words Father, my spirit is full of life!! I Love you.

5 comments:

Carol said...

This is so good. Words are sooo powerful. It's amazing how we can learn that lesson with our kids. We can lift them up or tear them down.

Amy Wyatt said...

Cheri,
A great reminder. Thanks. Stephanie also talked about one of these verses on her blog yesterday.
Thanks too for your donation to the Epilepsy Walk. I can't figure out how to get them to change the goal amount. They automatically put everyone at $100. Spencer is very excited about going to Washington. I can't wait to post on our trip. Thank you again.

Kimberly said...

Such a good post! I struggle in this area as well! I need to pray for God to put a spiritual muzzle on me!
Blessings to you today!
Love,
Kimberly

Lysa TerKeurst said...

Oh Sweet sister--- did you write this post just to make my heart feel better? Words were spoken by someone a few weeks ago that caused me to step back and blink and turn my head sideways. I'll pray they find that verse. And I pray that I use it to guard my mouth always!!!

Janet Roller said...

Cheri-
Boy did I need this today - and everyday last week! Like you, I have continued to hear messages about that powerful little animal housed inside the teeth-cage. What a disagppointment to God I must be sometimes.
Topping it all this past week - after a less-than-repectable day with my kids, the scripture about "if you've done it to the least of these, you've done it to me". ON MY FACE- Thanks for the post...I'm putting the scripture reminders up TODAY.
-Janet