Changing the Words

I love words.
And I am tired of words.

One reason for this weariness is that I’m finishing the writing on my next book, and everything I write sounds like blah, blah, blah. The bullies inside my head are not sending me feedback messages with smiley faces and pink hearts! (Oh, writing is so humbling!) I know this is part of the process…but ooftah.

A bigger reason for this weariness, though, is because the world just seems to be filled with so many words. I watch the news, read the papers, check in on Facebook, and the words are cascading fast and furious. In bold, capital letters. Intense words. Emotional words. So much noise. With so little being said.

Know what I mean?

Maybe we just need to take a pause and chill a bit.

We have little control in shaping the words someone else is throwing at us.
But we can control the words we are inserting into this cacophony.

Yelling doesn’t help.
Disrespectful words don’t elevate the conversation.
Being mean is never the right choice and we learned that in kindergarten.

How would our conversations change if we were simply…kind?

The ancient scriptures provide us with timeless words of wisdom. Maybe we try this instead:

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. (I Peter 4:8)

An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. (Proverbs 12:25)

Love is patient, love is kind. (I Corinthians 13:4)

Be kind and compassionate to one another… (Ephesians 4:32)

…always try to be kind to each other… (I Thessalonians 5:15)

Lord, please forgive me when my words have brought hurt, misunderstanding, and anger. Please show me how to change my words, and in doing so, help change the conversation.