Grace-Filled Conversation

Colossians 4:6: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (NIV).

My words have gotten me into trouble more than once. Have yours? Do your words ever come out in a way that they are misunderstood by others? Do you sometimes need to reevaluate not only what you said but how you said it?

Grace-filled words are pleasant, kind, and helpful. Proverbs 12:25 says kind words cheer people up. We may never know the heavy burdens others carry. Sharing a simple hello and a smile can bring joy to someone’s heart when they feel down.

Grace-filled words also bring healing and overflow with compassion and gentleness. Proverbs 15:1 says a gentle answer turns away anger. Sometimes people are ready for a fight—to argue with any willing subject. Our gentle response will either soften them toward us or send them off to find someone else to pick a fight with.

Gracious words are spoken to bring encouragement to the hearer. Our encouragement brings reassurance and hope to others. Their troubled souls find comfort and peace.

Our words have the power to impact people’s lives for Christ. The opposite is also true. Ephesians 4:29: “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (NIV).

I desire my words to be full of grace and build others up. To bless and not tear down. To offer hope and encouragement. I long to be a woman who shares pleasing and useful words—full of mercy—to bring healing and restoration to those in need. To point people to the Lord, to convey His love, and to grow friendships. I want to be a gracious woman whose words honor the Lord.

Psalm 19:14: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer” (NLT).

Peace Came in the Morning

Not too long ago, I received disappointing news. Something I’d hoped for didn’t happen. The next morning, I awoke filled with anxiety. After I spent time in prayer and read my Bible, I prepared my breakfast. I thought one of my favorite songs might get me more excited about getting ready to go to work. When I called upon my Amazon Echo, I struggled to get the words out fast enough—forgot the name of the song.

My Echo thinks she knows me well. She said something like, “Since you listen to worship music, I’ll play the Amazon worship channel and Chris Tomlin.”

Sounded good to me. I like Chris. The song, “Good, Good Father” played. After Chris, another song played about trusting God. The two songs together spoke to my heart and spirit and brought peace to my morning and a wonderful reminder of God’s faithfulness.

My hope is found in the Lord. He meets my needs. I acknowledged how good my God truly is and renewed my choice to trust Him in my situation and with the decisions I needed to make.

When I put my faith and trust in the one who loves and watches over me, my anxiety diminishes, and peace moves in. Peace makes a better companion.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Never rely on what you think you know. Remember the Lord in everything you do, and he will show you the right way” (GNB).

Healthy New Year!

Time to make a New Year’s resolution? What will it be? Usually, I don’t bother. But I’m hoping you will keep be accountable. I need help!

• Lose weight—about 15 pounds would be good.

• Exercise more—anything would be better than what I’m currently involved in.

• Get more sleep—but there’s so much to do.

• Stress reduction—no time for that either, although, I enjoy this one the most.

To combine these four healthy habits and be successful, I must change my mindset. Instead of trying to lose 15 pounds in three months, walk at least 10,000 steps per day, get seven hours of sleep a night, and eliminate all stress from my life on January 1, I plan to take baby steps.

If I strive to lose two pounds per month, that’s better than gaining!

At one time 10,000 steps per day was no big deal, but in recent months I have taken on a more sedentary life. I average around 5,000 steps. Time to increase that to 6,500 and work my way back up to 10,000 in a few months.

The average of 6¼ hours of sleep per night, according to my Fitbit, needs to stop. I require more to survive. Baby step will be to consistently get 6½ hours and work my way up to 7.

For stress reduction, the increased walking and extra sleep will help. Listening to music, a cup of tea in the evenings, a good book, spending time with family, or laughing with friends are additional ways to decrease the stress in my life. And as always, studying and reading my Bible along with praying for others also bring benefits.

These are ways I hope to improve my overall health and well-being. Care to join me? Let’s share our progress in a few months.

May your year be healthy and blessed!

If you’ve made a New Year’s resolution, please share in the comments below.

A Lonely Christmas

Christmas—the most wonderful time of the year! But what if it’s not?

A loved one’s passing, divorce, end of a relationship, military deployment—these are difficult circumstances to deal with. Difficult anytime but even more so during a holiday when we are supposed to be of good cheer.

Holidays often remind us of what we’ve lost. I miss my mom and dad and would love to spend time with them again. Memories are wonderful, but they don’t come close to the face-to-face encounters we once knew. We long to hear his voice, see her smile, or hold our loved one close. Our loneliness and heartbreak often seem too much to bear.

Several people I know lost a spouse or parent this year. If I am aware of your loved ones passing, please know I am praying for you this Christmas season. May you be filled with comfort and strength; receive healing for your broken heart; be consumed with peaceful thoughts; sense the Lord’s presence; and experience His joy.

Christmas is a wonderful time of the year when we consider who we are celebrating. The birth of our Lord and Savior. The one whose compassion for us never fails. He is with us now offering peace and hope. May we sense His loving arms wrapped firmly around us.

II Corinthians 5:14 says, “For Christ’s love compels us….” This means His love holds us tightly. Allow Him the opportunity to bring comfort to your hurting heart this Christmas season and always.

Please contact me through my website’s Contact page if you would like me to pray for you during this holiday season.