What Does Your List Say?

On Sunday, Brett and I were snuggled-up on the couch talking. Haleigh, our 7-year-old first grader was sitting on the floor next to us with a notebook and pen in her hand. (She too has the burden of writing swelling inside her.) She loves to doodle and draw and write lists and letters and sentences and poems and stories.... and, and, and. We weren't really paying her any particular attention, but rather enjoying our time together in the same space, doing separate activities. That is when Haleigh asked if she could read us something she wrote. Of course we said “Of course!” She proceeded to read us a list of words that described her brother. I asked, "Do you know what those words are called?" And with a snappy response she said, "Yeah…, they are adjectives." in a tone that suggested Duh, who doesn't know that mom? Yes, I did say she was 7... Lord have mercy on me over these next 11 years!

Brett and I were amused.  We all shared a good chuckle about the words she choose and I was sitting there thinking how darn smart and intuitive my cute little daughter is all the while beaming with pride. Then she asked if we were ready to hear the list about me...

Um... ok... sure.

"Sure, sweetheart, go ahead."

Holding my breath, now.

  

This is what she wrote:

Crazy-Carole (She even gave it a title!)

• Talking
• Gossiping
• Spying
• Sleeping
• Reading
•  Romantic
• Make Fun
• Clueless

Ouch... some of that hurt.

Talking. Gossiping. Make Fun.

Wow.

It just so happens that the Session for my Bible Study, just two days prior, was Believing God's Word is Alive and Active in Me from Beth Moore's Believing God. One of the main points that resonated with me from the study was our words are potent. And that using our words (through our mouth or writing) inappropriately is an effective way to NOT BE used by the Lord to our fullest potential.

Now, lest you all think I was sitting on my couch, talking-smack about someone, right after church and in front of my child, I most assuredly was not.  Not this day anyway.  But I was talking to Brett about someone and I was laughing.  My child, who wasn’t specifically tuning into my exact words, interpreted that as Talking, Gossiping, Make Fun.

It is easy to go about our days-our lives, thinking we can say and do whatever we may, but people are watching us.  Our spouse, our children, our family, our friends, even complete strangers.  Oh yes, and how about this one… God! 

I don’t know about you, but I want my words to be potent.  I want my words to bless.  Imagine the powerful, mighty, persuasive force you can be to others with this kind of intention in what you allow to come forth from your lips or putting your pen to the page!

Do you know what your list would say today? 

 “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3