"Life is like a bank. You get out of it what you put into it with interest added."

"Good, better, best...never let it rest until your good is better and your better is best."

An elementary school teacher of mine used to write encouraging phrases like these on the blackboard each Monday in her beautiful cursive font and then we would discuss them for the rest of the week. Oddly, I remember the words but cannot recall the name of the teacher.

It would be impossible to count all the words I have heard, read, or spoken in my seventy nine years but they seem to be in this "computer-brain" of mine. I am amazed at the memories that come floating to the surface of my mind at the most unusual times. Snatches of conversations, quotes from books, scriptures, sermons, television, movies--they all seem to be there just waiting to speak again at some appointed time. Some of these words I enjoy and some of these words I would choose to delete. Some are profitable and others are damaging. All are powerful and have had an effect on my life.

For this reason, I have become more aware of the words that come out of my mouth or the words I commit to paper or Facebook.

In Matt.12:36 in speaking to the Pharisees, Jesus had this to say,"But I tell you, on the day of judgment men will have to give account for every idle ( inoperative, nonworking) word they speak. For by your words you will be justified and acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned and sentenced." The book of Proverbs is full of warnings about what comes out of our mouths, and James makes a full discourse about the tongue. Out of the heart the mouth speaks and so we reveal who we really are through our words.

In reading an old journal a few weeks ago, I paused to thank God I had grown spiritually since these words were written, yet I realize I still have things to learn, and in the future I will read the things I am writing now and thank Him once more for His grace in changing my heart. My journals are private and only affect me, but the words I share are far more reaching than I am aware. Therefore, I need to give thought to the words that proceed from my mouth and I need to be done with sarcasm, gossip, crude language, fault finding and every other way I can displease the One I love. I need to examine my words before I let them fly because once spoken or written I can't undo them.

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer." Psalm 19:14

"Set a guard, O Lord, before my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips." Psalm 141:3 (Amplified Bible)

Recommended Reading
The Power of Words and the Wonder of God
John Piper/Justin Taylor

With love from my chair at the Harvest Table,

Photo Credit: jackson-consulting.com