I recently had a friend say to me, “Cindy, you say that so much I could quote you.”
She was referring to my, “I love that!” statement. And she’s right. I do say it a lot. I say it to everybody about everything, anytime, anywhere. Why? Because I love a whole lotta things. I love big, I love loud, and I try to love people every chance I get.
A few days later I read this timely passage of scripture:
”Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit – you choose.” Proverbs 18:21 (MSG)
Wait, I choose? Whoa. That’s responsible stuff. Which gets me thinking…
Have you ever considered what quotes are associated with you?
What words do you continuously speak?
What tone comes out of your mouth?
Do you speak up or talk down?
Is your language half full or half empty?
Are you Debbie Downer or Sunshine-y Susan?
Or as Proverbs puts it, are you poison or fruit, death or life? – which is harsh to read but also interesting in that, there is no middle ground. It’s one or the other. All in. All out. Encouraging or discouraging.
Basically, how would people quote you?
My hope and prayer is that Psalm 19:14 would be how we all choose to live:
”May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
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”Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.” Ephesians 4:29 (MSG)
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”But the words you speak come from the heart – that’s what defiles you.” Matthew 15:18 (NLT)
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”Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.” Proverbs 12:18 (NLT)
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”Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Proverbs 16:24 (NLT)
