What are you saying..

It’s not so much what you say

As the manner in which you say it;

It’s not so much the language you use

As the tone in which you convey it;

“Come here?” I sharply said,

And the child cowered and wept.

“Come here,” I said-

He looked and smiled

And straight to my lap he crept.

Words may be mild and fair

And the tone may pierce like a dart;

Words may be soft as the summer air

But the tone may break my heart;

For words come from the mind

Grown by study and art

But tone leaps from the inner self

Revealing the state of the heart.

Whether you know it or not,

Whether you are mean or care,

Gentleness, kindness, love and hate,

Envy, anger, are there.

Then, would you quarrels avoid

And peace and love rejoice?

Keep anger not only out of your words-

Keep it out of your voice.

Author Unknown

My friends, the words of this poem speak truth and we would do well to take heed of it's message.

Too often, do we find ourselves using harsh and rash speech when dealing with our own loved ones.

Family members are God's gift to us, and a symbol of the Holy Trinity in which Father, Son and Holy Spirit dwell together in unity and peace. 

Their Hearts and Words one.. inseperable in Love and Truth.

Though we are marred by our fallen human nature, we can still aspire (with God's help and grace) to emulate the loving relationship of the Three-in-One Who only speak in pure charity.

Words are powerful!

As Jesus said "out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaketh", revealing the true intent of the soul and mind of a person who speaks either in anger or love.

When interacting within the family it often happens that disagreements arise and feelings are fueled which lead to raised voices and injured egos.

If these are allowed to become the 'norm' in our conversations, we are headed downwards on a slippery path to a home filled with hurts and discontent.

The tone of the voice and the look in the eye express the heart just as much as the words themselves.

Bitterness and sarcasm, grudges and unforgiveness have no place in the heart of a christian family.

The temptation to give in to these worldly and ungodly emotions must be addressed and dealt with swiftly in order to dislodge it before the root grows deep, and hardens our hearts toward each other!

It can begin with a 'harmless' joke, an off-hand comment, a raising of the eybrows or curling of the lip.

Over time..these things can wear away trust, love and affection.

Like water falling on a rock..eventually a hole will appear which may pierce right through the stone.

Let us therefore be wary of our words, that they be channels of healing and love and not destruction!

The reason I am writing like this today is to encourage you to make the most of the bond of love within your families. Love them..appreciate them..forgive them when wronged or hurt. Life is far too short not to!!

Yesterday afternoon my elderly cousin passed away.

She was also my godmother.

Sadly, she never showed any evidence of a deep relationship with the Lord.

But she displayed a hardness of heart toward her brother for events long past and as far as I know, died unreconciled to him.

My aunt too, at 100 years of age stills counts her son as dead and has cut him off from the family, though he has tried to return to her. 

It saddens my soul so deeply.

And I take it as a warning to guard my own thoughts and words and attitudes to my loved ones, lest I be called home to God unprepared, bearing an uncharitable heart towards another soul, whom He loves with the utmost forgiveness and compassion!

Life is indeed too short..

grace to you..Trish