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Angry words Spoken in Haste are not easily forgotten! I learned from my mother to watch my words.
“I HATE YOU!” Yes, I said those words once as a small child when I was very upset with my Mother.
Mother quickly responded and instructed me that there are some words to which a person should never give a voice. The word HATE is one of them.
She let me know that the person to whom I had spoken these words would always remember what I had said! Ouch! Thinking back I still remember that early incident.
Mother continued, “No matter how much you beg forgiveness and say you are sorry, the person will continue to remember those words that you spoke in haste.”
This may have been the time she told me the story about the girl releasing the feathers from her pillow. Although she might be able to retrieve a few of them, most of they could never be recovered.
“Yes, Mother, I love you and I do not believe I have ever told a person since that time that I hated them.”
The Bible was Mother’s tool for emphasis. It always made an impact on me! Mother explained that the Bible tells us not to stay angry. While it is not a sin to be angry, it is our obligation to make things right with the other person before the sun goes down.
“Ahhhh, Thank you dear Mother....”You taught me to forgive even when I did not feel like forgiving! You taught me to keep certain words unspoken.
So my friend, here is my challenge to you. Are you setting a watch before the words of your mouth? Do practice telling those who are close to you that you love them?
Do you use words to show your love even as you show love by your actions? Take special care to use words of respect that build up and not words that tear down relationships. Words can hurt or words can heal – it is your choice.
And, last of all, are you also acting out the Lord’s Prayer and forgiving those who you think are sinning against you?
Just do it! It’s a lot easier to forgive the more often you do it.
This post has been shared with
Shanda’s On your Heart Tuesday
Hazel’s Tell Me a True Story
