flickr photo by rachelcaitlin
Words.
In a house of 4 girls, one mama, and a very patient man, we have more words than Webster.
We have giggle words.
We have crying words.
We have teaching words.
Oh, and drama words, yes we have them, too.
But one question has me thinking hard today:
Is Grace spoken here?
Do my words show favor?
Do they feel my words wrap around their heart and hurt?
Can they hear me say “I am for you?”
Or do they walk away wondering if they matter?
If they are good enough?
If they belong?
And I realize, more often than I care to admit, my own words are far from a gift of grace. I know the only hope I have is found in the Word Himself. He became flesh to dwell among us and speak our words so we could hear grace with our own ears.
You are loved.
You matter.
You belong, here.
And I pray, fill my heart first. May it overflow rich with grace. And pour out Your Words through me to the ears that matter most in my heart. And more than anything else, may grace be spoken here.
{2011 is a year I am learning Grace. To join the journey, click here.}
Today I am joining the discussion between Ann and Holley as they share letters between friends about loving Jesus with our words.
I struggle with this, too. In fact, every morning I pray that my words would be “full of grace & seasoned with salt.” (from Colossians 4:6)
That is my first memory verse of 2011 Jamie! Thanks for stopping by today!
Yes. Yes. Words of grace. Even hard truth must be spoken in love, with grace. Our words are so powerful–to hurt, discourage, demean, or hopefully to encourage, to lift, to empower.
Even more important that truth has grace wrapped around it Judy. Thanks for that reminder! Have a great day!
Oh friend, I need to print this out and read it every. single. day. Beautiful. I walk the road of seeking the Grace-Words with you.
You are the best of company for this journey! Looking forward to that next chat face to face!
I need to make a sign for my home that says, “May Grace Be Spoken Here”. This is beautiful and so needed in this house full of girls. My heart aches reading these words because I know that I am failing right now in my home. Praying that we can fill our daughters hearts with words of love and belonging.
That is a great idea. Hmmm…who do we know who could craft one up for us??
And Amy, your failing only gives Him more room to shower you with grace. Your girls see you running to Him! Praying for you!
Four girls? I have four boys! We have loud words and goofy words and sometimes wrestling and pounding with no words. And Mama needs grace, for sure.
What a work in progress we are!
Tuesday blessings,
Rhonda
Oh Rhonda that is too funny! They are so different, but all of them need their mama to shower them with Grace Words! So glad you stopped by!
Ah, yes, GRACE words. What every heart needs. I’ve been thinking about grace, you, words, praying….Thanks for your beautiful heart, girl. So thankful for you!
Thanks Holley (and Ann) for the chance to add a few words to your beautiful heart moving correspondence. I have hung my heart on every word. How blessed I am to have bumped into you in this online world again and again.
This is so lovely, Stacey! I found myself nodding in agreement throughout this entire post, and my heart echoed many of the questions you ask, too.
And this “And I pray, fill my heart first. May it overflow rich with grace. And pour out Your Words through me to the ears that matter most in my heart. And more than anything else, may grace be spoken here.” this could be a prayer for each day…I love it.
Thank you!
What a beautiful reminder of the Grace filled words of Him over me. And what a great challenge to consider my own words and strive for them to be grace filled with Him to model after.
Enjoyed reading your words. I have three daughters, so I can relate to your words on all the words:) Grace words. Yes, those are the ones I want to speak as well. Wonderful questions to draw them out.
Coming over from Ann’s and Holley’s … beautifully written; thanks for sharing these thoughts. I can relate, having 4 daughters, and then … two sons! All grown now. Words are so important … and “grace” is such a good one to pray for every day …
So nice to meet you Cherry! I am blessed by your words and encouragement. I hope you have a great day!
Stacey,
I have one boy and one girl–grown, but still home–I so need grace to be my word for 2011, but I’m afraid to go there. I need to pray more. I’ve never chosen a word to last a whole year before. You see, God gives grace to the humble, and I am not sure that I could actually ask God for 365 days of humbling me (though obviously I need it!). I am sure with 4 girls, you do have many words, but oodles of joy. Thanks for sharing your heart.
Blessings,
Wendy
Faith’s Firm Foundation
http://www.wendygunn.net
Ah, Stacey. I’ve so been thinking about this same thing lately. It seems the words coming out of my mouth directed at my six-year-old are more instructive and strict than I intend for them to be. I often forget he’s only six. I’m so used to speaking to him as an adult — something I’ve done since he was born (no baby talk or small vocabulary words, here), but at the same time he’s still a child. He needs more encouragement than to feel discouraged. My goal for this next week is to try to maintain an encouraging tone when helping with homework, an encouraging tone when asking him to pick up his toys, an encouraging tone even when he’s talking back. Thanks for the reminder.
Ahhh…the power of words. I can still recall words that stung from two decades ago. And today I often ponder words that may stick with my daughter with a similar sting. Several weeks ago, I wrote that I desired to actually BELIEVE that God could change me, help me, fill me, transform me…in those tough, tired, frazzled parenting moments. Not simply say I believe He’s there, but truly cry out to Him and believe He is bigger than my current emotion or desire to fuss at or shame or speak harshly to my girl!
Thank you for this post!
Amanda