Words Matter.

Words are no joke.

God created the world by speaking His words and left us His word to communicate with us. He also tells us that "the simple moral fact is that words kill" (Matthew 5 MSG).

Words kill.

To me, that's a scary statement because there are many times where I am much too free with my words. OR on the flip side, there are times where I don't speak the words I should, words that could be life-giving to situations or individuals and it is my assertion that while words can kill, unspoken words can also kill. What we say matters because we are formed by the dialogue we engage in.

We are Formed by Dialogue

"Adult dialogue in particular can be edifying. When two persons meet together, each may know things the other does not and each may see things about the other that the other does not. So if they love each other, dialogue between them inevitably leads to enrichment and building up of each other.....Moreover, human image-bearing is especially realized in dialogue with the living God, who is speaking to us one way or another through Scripture (most clearly), through the creation, and through our dialogue with others" (Johnson, 2007, 14-15).

Human image-bearing is realized through dialogue with God and sometimes He uses us and our dialogue with others in the realization process. Therefore, as it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:11, we are to "encourage one another and build each other up, just as you are doing."

Words Matter

Life and death are in the power of the tongue. I understand that truth and as someone who has been given abundant life through Jesus, I want my words to be words of life and this influences my dialogue. Speaking life and encouragement are close to my heart and while there are many moments where I fail at this, it is something that I am intentional about in my relationships. I want people to know that someone is proud of them, that someone thinks they are great, that they are loved, that someone is praying for them, that they look nice, that someone is thankful for them, and that someone is rooting for them from their corner. So I tell them and I make sure that I only tell them things that I mean because one of my biggest frustrations is empty words said for the speaker's own benefit, but that could be another whole blog in it of itself.

Speaking those kinds of truths over people matter because we are formed by dialogue. By doing this, we are showing Life in a world that is desperate for it and I know that this matters because often times when I am speaking truth to someone, I hear the enemy's voice the loudest.

You are annoying. You told them that last week. They don't think you mean it. Encouraging words to them from you have lost all meaning. They don't care what YOU have to say. Why would your thoughts towards them matter? All your words are doing is bothering them. You should just shut up.

So sometimes I do. I shut up and I don't speak the life that I could have spoken. I allow death to keep its ground- Leaving the person who was feeling defeated, feeling defeated. The one who thinks they are all alone, thinking they are all alone. The one who feels unnoticed, feeling unnoticed. And while I am under no impression that my words can change those things apart from Jesus, I do believe that Christ in me is the hope of glory and that life-giving words push back some of the darkness. Shutting up doesn't. Unspoken words can also kill.

This is a hard post to write because the past month I've been listening to a lot of dialogue. And the dialogue that I've been listening to sounds a lot like what the enemy wants me to believe. He wants me to think that my words don't matter because I don't matter and that when I encourage others all I am is a bother. And there have been moments throughout the month where I have believed that. There have been moments where I have told myself that I just won't say certain things to people for awhile and maybe then it will mean something to them. There have been words said that have been met by silence and in the silence, satan shouts "I told you so" and I've believed it.

But there have also been moments in the past month where people have said "I'm proud of you", "I'm praying for you", "You are loved", "I am thankful for you", and "I think you're great." And I know how those moments made me feel and how life-giving those words were and how thankful I am that those people did not shut up.

Words matter. Whether they are valued or not, they matter. Whether I'm seen as a bother or not, they matter. Whether I've said it 100 times or not, they matter. Whether I'm annoying or not, they matter. We are shaped by our dialogue.

God communicates to us and others through dialogue. Dialogue is made up of words. Your words, or lack of words, matter.

Speak life.

Featured Friends Friday: Robbie and Leticia

Meet Robbie and Leticia. I'm not sure how I went from being too shy to say a full sentence to them to being comfortable enough to call them when I'm upset, but I'm really glad I did.

I think the likely answer is that they're great. Actually, more than great. They are such incredible conduit's of God's love. I have never left a conversation with them or time spent with them questioning their love for me. And loving in that kind of way is a characteristic that has been passed down to their three beautiful children. It's impossible for me to walk into their house and not feel loved and valued.

It has been a honor watching them raise their children up in the way that they should go over the years. I met them when their two oldest were still babies and Christian wasn't even yet born. Now, they are all in school or pre-k and it is a privilege to see how they've grown. Last weekend, I was able to watch as their oldest son was baptised and I was overwhelmed knowing how many lives his little life has already touched and how great the plans that God has for him are as he continues to grow. And I found myself so thankful for Robbie and Leticia and their commitment to raise their kids in a home that serves the Lord.

One of my favorite qualities about these two, and there are many, is that there is never an air of judgement around them. On more than one occasion, I've shared things with them that were likely judgement-raising kinds of sharing and have always been met with love and truth. I'm fully convinced that I could share anything with them and find myself in a safe place. And because I know they're safe places, I've come to them in moments of frustration and sadness and been able to drop the mask I was wearing and simply be. And in those moments, I was met with individuals who rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. I was met with people who made time to stop what they were doing to sit with me and speak truth to me, over me, and for me.

It's also impossible not to have fun when with them and their family. I would bet you to try to spend an hour with them and not laugh, but it's an unfair bet- because it's an impossible task. You will laugh and you won't be able not to.

 

Robbie and Letty, thank you for allowing me into your lives and sharing your family with me. My life has been richly blessed by you all in it and I know it will continue to be. Thank you for being constant sources of encouragement and love. For being listening ears and compassionate teachers. For all the laughs and all the prayers. And not being scared off by the tears. I love you so very much!

Featured Friend Friday: BA

 

 

 

Meet BA (Brette-Ashley).

 

BA is one of my oldest (as in years known) and dearest friends. She knew me way back in middle school when I was the dorky little girl on the soccer team with the bleached black collared shirt, big framed glasses, and braces. And now years and years later, she still lets this dorky grown girl call her friend.

 

 

I am so lucky to have been able to grow up and do life with this girl by my side. There are few people who I am as comfortable with as BA. I love that when we get together, no matter how much time has lapsed in between, it is like no time has passed at all. We can always pick up where we left off. And I love how when we get together, it doesn't matter what we do- from ripping out carpet to taking naps as we fall asleep to our latest TV season binge- I leave feeling refreshed and rejuvenated.

 

 

When I think back on our friendship, it is impossible not to laugh at all our memories. Placing second in the talent show in high school, even though none of us knew how to play our instruments. Winning soccer sectionals in the snow. Wearing tap shoes to Family Video. Making confession videos. Choreographing dances. Rapping raps. And so, so many more.

 

Most of our memories are very silly and I am so thankful to have a friend to be silly with, but who I can also talk "real life" with. One of my favorite ways to pass time in an afternoon to sit across a room talking to this lady.

 

 

In the last few years, BA has picked up photography and is doing some great work. And I can say from experience (hahaha) that she is a pleasure to work with. You can check out her stuff at: http://www.bretteashley.com/ || Sidenote: Love the new site look and music!

 

 

I read a quote the other day that said:

 

"We click. There aren't many people that you just 'click' with,

and when you find those people, you don't just let them go."

 

Since I've known, BA, we've always clicked. And the friendship we have is one of my very most favorite. I feel so blessed to have lived life with her for so many years and privileged to know that there will be many, many more years because well, I'm just not letting her go. I love you, BA and I am so thankful to call you friend.

 

And for your viewing pleasure, here is some silly.....