“All the words I had ever spoken, they are making my children who they are.
What we speak into others, this is what they become.”
Ann Voskamp shares these words today in a very convicting post, go visit, you’ll not be disappointed, neither will you leave the same.
These words cut, cut deep into my heart. I’m a bit shook, don’t know how to press forward. I’m uncomfortable with the conviction, yet I hesitate to move on. I don’t want to leave here unchanged.
These words are incredibly sobering, they won’t stop echoing in my head. I see how words wound, scar and shape. If I could undo all those tearing down words.
“What were you thinking?”
“When are you going to get it?!”
“How many times do I have to tell you?'” (and more, besides)
Wait, I see it, those were not tearing down words. They were ‘shaping’ words. Shaping who they would become! Oh, my heart aches, my mind swirls with the countless ‘shaping’ words I have spoken.
Is this why his head often times hangs when I am ‘correcting’ him? Is that why he is so hard on himself? Why he struggles with accusing thoughts?
Could it be it is not just the enemy of his soul accusing him in his own mind, but the enemy of his soul using MY mouth to accuse him, to shape him?
Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Pr. 18:21)
A gentle tongue [with its healing power] is a tree of life, but willful contrariness in it breaks down the spirit. (Pr. 15:4)
Pleasant words are as a honeycomb, sweet to the mind and healing to the body. (Pr. 16:24)
Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish one tears it down with her own hands. (Pr. 14:1)
Relentlessly pursuing repentance and reshaping . . .
9 comments:
Her words had the same effect on me.
Most words God gives her can convict me...
I wrote about this very thing yesterday and used her previous letter to Holly to reference.
I'm thankful for women like you and Ann who have walked a bit more than me and send me words of encouragment in your writings. Thank you!
Me too, Michelle. Thank God we can ask forgiveness.
Hi Michelle!
I'm new to your blog...stopped over from Holley Gerth's. Thank you for sharing your convictions with us. We truly share the same sentiment. Blessings to you!
Words to live by for sure. Here is a link to a poem I wrote long ago when I had small children. Thought you might enjoy it. http://www.homewithgod.com/Cards/unknownpain.shtml
Amen.
WordS = Sword.
Okay, I'm going...reluctantly...sounds very convicting. It's something I have been working on for a long time...this tongue of mine.
Hi Michelle,
Looking over today's post brought to mind the need for repentance,(and I'm doing right NOW!!) for words I have said to my kids and your Mom, that spoke death(hurt) instead of LIFE(God's WORD of encouragement.)
Here at Be In Health, we are seeing the results daily of what the uplifting WORD can do, when we apply it with our own mouths-we are seeing lives healed, tranformed, and diseases healed in just a weeks time. It is amazing.
Thank you for always having an encouraging word (even at times when we disagree)
I love you..and all my precious grandkids who mirror back love to us.
Step Dad (Noel) & Nana(Mom)
What a universal sentiment among all mothers. Thank you for putting it so beautifully, and touching on the convictions we need to experience to help shape us. May the Lord help all of us choose better "shaping words."
Post a Comment