Labouring over the Words by Mary Folkerts

 

Writing can be like birthing a baby into the world; no two labour stories are the same. Some babies arrive before they are expected, while some are long overdue. Some babies come relatively easily, and some have a complicated delivery. My babies, for instance, always came long after "the plan", as if they were little perfectionists in the womb, not presenting themselves until they were as right as rain! This, to their mother's chagrin!

The words that pour from our hearts onto paper can feel like precious “babies”, as often they are birthed in vulnerability and pain. It can hurt to strike through words that we struggled over, or that we thought sounded just right, but to make a good piece of writing great, it takes editing.

What’s the right amount of editing to do on a written piece? How do you know when it’s good enough to hit send? The answers to these questions may vary depending on what you are writing, be it a blog piece, a submission, or a manuscript.

When I need to write for a deadline, it can sometimes feel like I’m trying to wring water out of a dry sponge. Writing comes easier for me when I get hit by a wave of inspiration, a sentiment I’m sure most writers share. But even as the deadline looms, and I sit staring at the words slowly leaking onto the page, the mind begins to lubricate, and the ideas slowly form.

Once the ideas have begun to gel into a cohesive piece, I read it through and edit as I go. I love using my Grammarly Pro editor to help me identify mistakes and make my sentences flow more smoothly. I use it as a tool, but I don’t rely on it alone.

If I have time, I like to leave what I wrote to simmer. I will come back in a day and reread my words for further edits. I read it out loud and have someone else read and critique. Second eyes often catch things that I missed.

Editing is an essential part of excellent writing, but I don’t want to get hung up on writing the perfect piece. And though I go through deleting words, changing phrases, and adding commas, I must never edit out my voice to make it sound like someone else’s. My voice is what makes my writing unique, as your voice makes your writing what it is. We each have our way of telling the story God gave us to share.

And sometimes it’s just time to hit send!


Words fall on my heart,
like drops of rain
soaking the parched earth–
a collection of words
spoken
from lips that sought to encourage,
drawn up from the recesses of my mind
words
committed to memory
returning
in moments of drought.

There is no expiration date
on the power words carry
like rain,
they revive the wilted flower
whose head is bent
low–
Let the words of my mouth
linger like
sustenance.

Mary Folkerts is mom to four kids and wife to a farmer, living on the southern prairies of Alberta, where the skies are large and the sunsets stunning. She is a Proverbs 31 ministries COMPEL Writers Training member involved in church ministries and music. Mary’s blog aims to encourage and inspire women and advocate for those with Down Syndrome, as their youngest child introduced them to this extraordinary new world. For more inspiration, check out Joy in the Small Things https://maryfolkerts.com/ or connect on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/maryfolkerts/

K is for Knit by Lorilee Guenter

 To knit is to weave and knot together in a pleasing way. Those who knit take simple yarn and follow a pattern to produce something beautiful. The pattern may be a written set of instruction, or they may be creating their own design. Either way, the person creating understands how the material responds and how the different types of stitches look. Psalm 139: 13 tells us God knit us together in our mother's womb. He created us to His specifications. He knew, He knows every detail of how His creation works and creates wonderfully complex individuals. To some He gave the ability to knit together yarn, to others He did not. I have tried crochet, which is similar but different, and I can make a long string but nothing else.

As writers, we take words and we knit them together into wonderfully complex compositions. Our words are our yarn that we choose to place according to a design. The results can be encouraging, challenging, instructive, and beautiful. Depending on the pattern we follow, we may end up with poetry or prose, essay or story. Just as the knitter makes a pattern their own through colour choices and stitch size, our word choices and placement change the outcome of our writing. One word may result in something humorous, a similar word might change the tone to provocative. In either case, we are using simple building blocks and knitting them together in interesting ways.

As we sit down to work on our craft, to knit the pieces of our projects together may we follow the instructions of the one who chose to knit us together. May we speak truth in love. May we use humour well. May we represent facts accurately and explain things beautifully. Most importantly, no matter what form our writing takes, may we seek to honour God with the words He has given us.

I is for Impact by Carol Harrison

 

I is for Impact

The driver of the large old model car ran the red light and pieces of my car scattered over three lanes of traffic on impact. Even though this happened years ago and no one was injured in the accident except my car, the memory remains. The physical impact also impacted my emotions and left me reliving the moment for awhile after.

As I thought about I is for impact and its obvious memory of an accident with one vehicle slamming into another, we impact the people in our sphere of influence every day with our words, attitudes, and actions. Our impact in their lives can be positive or negative but it’s there.

The words we write, whether a short piece or novel, poetry or devotional, reach beyond our immediate circle of influence. We may never know the impact our words have on a reader. They may be intrigued to read more of our writing. What we write might instruct someone else, inform others, inspire them, or allow their imaginations to take flight and land them in another time or place.

I know reading has always left an impact on me from the time I first learned to read. I loved to escape and live vicariously through the adventures of others. I even enjoyed reading the encyclopedia set to increase my knowledge. I guess some would have called me a nerd or whatever slang term was in fashion at the time.

There have been times when life is difficult or illness keeps me from reading anything too deep. Studying is out of the question when my asthma flares up. Yet I have picked up a light Christian fiction and seen truths portrayed through the characters' lives. I’ve taken a look through their eyes at the world around and found myself having those ‘ah ha’ moments. Have you experienced that as well?

Sometimes looking at life through a character’s eyes brings new insights into our own lives. We are given a moment to apply what we learn to our own situations. As I contemplated how I is for impact, I was reminded of the responsibility we have with our words, whether spoken or written. We need to write the truth even in our made-up stories or other worlds we imagine and bring to life. Once words are out there, we can’t take them back.

At camp I’ve used the illustration of a tube of toothpaste. It’s easy and quick to squeeze out the contents but getting someone to try and stuff the paste back into the tube is an impossible task. So it is with our words. We speak them and they encourage others or knock them down. We can apologize for pain they inflict but the memory remains. Our written words remain for many to read. What they say will impact them in one way or another.

May our prayer be that of the psalmist in Psalm 19:14

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock, and my Redeemer.”

 

Carol Harrison writes from Saskatoon, SK. She wants to encourage others to look for those glimmers of hope and glimpses of joy in all the circumstances of life.

 

 

B is for Because by Lorilee Guenter

As I contemplated what to write this month, I considered and rejected many words such as book, beautiful or becoming. These words and others are good words that apply not only to writing but to our lives. However, I struggled to pull together coherent thoughts relating to them and found myself asking why.

A few decades ago, in the early 1990s, I walked into drafting class and saw one word on the chalkboard: Why. When we answered the question we could leave. There are two simple answers to the question: "Why not?" or "Because". My questions of why and that incident led to my word for this month. B is for because.

I write because I have stories to tell. The Bible is full of stories that show God’s character. As I read them, I am encouraged and, at times, rebuked. Always, I am drawn to God. God has given me stories to tell as well. When I write, I am sharing the stories He has given me and the lessons He has taught me.

Snippets of conversation, words read, and things seen can all spark a story, a poem, or an essay. I write because some of those ideas are so persistent. They even get in the way of other tasks like sleep if I don’t pick up my pen. Because I write, I also notice things around me that I might otherwise overlook. I write because it reminds me to be present in the time and space I occupy. This doesn’t necessarily limit me to writing about here and now. I am finding more and more that, if I rush through my days or conversely waste my time on distractions, I miss living the life God has given me.

I write because God placed us in a beautiful world. It is a gift to us and a responsibility that He charged us with at creation. In my writing, I can remind others of the beauty of God's creation and the amazing detail He included. 

Even though though that creation has been broken because of our pride and rebellion, He didn’t give up on us. For some of us God gives us words and asks us to share them so others can see the beauty He created. He asks us to share our words so others can know His patient love, His mercy and His grace. 

I write because God is good. He made me who I am. He walks with me through the pain. He shelters me in the storm. God gave me words and asked me to use them. Sometimes the words are for me as I wrestle to understand what is happening around me. Other times the words are for others. If I don’t write, I am not being a good steward of this gift God has given me.

I create because God created and made us in His image. He uses our flawed creations, our inadequate words and our lives to show His character to bring glory and praise Him. My art and my writing are part of my offering to Him. They are the imperfect works of a student of the craft. My Master is a patient teacher. Because He loves me, He adds polish to my life and my work as He writes my story.

A is for Accept by Lorilee Guenter

 God has given us words as a gift. He uses words to teach me and to correct me. Words are one way He shows Himself to us. He communicates with us. He spoke creation into being and Jesus calmed the storm with words. Gifts are of more value when they are accepted. It is my choice whether I believe and accept.

I choose to accept the the relationship He has called me into using His words. I choose to accept the teaching found in His written word to us. I also recognise that God uses people to write and speak into other people's lives. I am beginning to accept that God gives me words to share with others. I did not accept that for a long time and instead devalued myself and lost opportunities because of it. 

I continue to learn what it means to follow where God leads me. God asked Abram to go to a place unknown to him but known to God. Abram trusted God would lead him. God asked His prophets to speak the words He gave them. Jesus taught His disciples and then asked them to share that teaching using the authority He gave them. We are all called to be His disciples which includes using the gifts and words He has given us and sharing them with the audience He asks us to share with. This is not something we do on our own but in communication with the Holy Spirit.

By accepting God's direction, and following it, our words and actions bring glory to Him when He uses our offerings to teach us and others. 

Beginning with ABC - A Writing Path Defined by Joylene M Bailey

 

Oh hello! Hi.

I understand you've come to find out about some of the key moments that were crucial in defining and growing Joy Bailey into the writer she is today. As someone who knows her as well as she knows herself, I think I can help you.  She would say that some key moments were small while others were astronomical in boosting her confidence.

Do you see this book? It's her first defining 'moment.' And it's a big one. I can't even exaggerate how much she LOVED this book. It was her introduction to those enchanting letters that all stood for something. And those letters spelled WORDS! How she loved words.

As you can see, if you turn the page, she practiced and practiced making the letters and then making the words. Words were Alluring. Beguiling. Captivating. And manipulating a pencil to make those words was Delightful. Enthralling. Fascinating.

Once she discovered that words could be strung together to make a story, well, her appetite for reading them soared. Her three younger brothers became her audience as she read book after book to them. I'd have to say, those early years of reading aloud were another defining 'moment' for her. They were the beginnings of learning what she liked to read, which translated into eventually writing the kinds of things she liked to read.

In her school years, she excelled in Language Arts and English classes, but was always suspicious of teachers who praised her or her work. What ulterior motive could they possibly have for doing such a thing? As a result of that sentiment, she wouldn't now be able to identify any teachers who may have encouraged her writing because she never took them seriously.

She also became an earnest letter-writer in her school years, which carried on into adulthood. I would call this a major defining factor in her growth as a writer. Her signature conversational style was developed and sharpened during those years of penning letters.

As a young mom, she enjoyed making up stories and songs for her three growing daughters. One such song gushed out spontaneously one night as she put her three-year-old to bed. Through the years it became a favourite of preschool children in Sunday Schools across the prairies. She considered it high praise when a child would ask to sing Baby Moses.

Wanting to hone her craft of writing, and to find out if she actually could write, she took a course in Writing for Children and Teenagers from the Institute of Children's Literature. After the initial shock of getting IN, she hunkered down to learn all she could from the instructor assigned to her. But she was frustrated with all the praise. The instructor only seemed to have good things to say about her writing. Was she even qualified to be an instructor? Surely a real instructor would be critical all over the place.

Joy finally trusted that this teacher knew what she was talking about when a children's magazine published her first article. The moment she read her name in Nature Friend is forever etched in her mind. So big was this moment that she barely held it together until her husband got home from work, when she  waved the open magazine in his face and squealed, "This is me!!"

Since then, she's written for children and adults, winning awards for her short stories, poetry, and children's stories along the way. A few years ago she began blogging at Scraps of Joy, where her conversational style has bloomed and thrived. As well, she has just begun to write a regular column for an online newsletter, encouraging parents of young women who struggle with life-controlling issues.

As far as defining moments go, Joy would say that her most monumental ones these days are comments she receives from her readers. One recent reader compared her writing to something they would find in Bella Grace magazine. Considering that Bella Grace is one of her favourite publications, this comment will stick with her, proving that she IS writing exactly what she loves to read.

I hope that gives you some idea of Joy's writing path. From ABC to Scraps of Joy and all the writing in between, building beautiful and joyful works is her goal, one wonderful word at a time.

~~~~~

As she wrote this post, Joy was rather shocked to discover all of the things she's had published over the years, and some have even won awards. Who would have thought?! Joy is now living with The Cowboy in their new home in the country and loving the early mornings in her North-East facing library where she spends time with the words she loves. Find more of her joy-infused writing at Scraps of Joy.

Feature photo and last photo by Pezibear of Pixabay.

Book photos by Joy Bailey

Silence... by Sheila Webster

 Sometimes it is not the words that mean the most but silence in all the ups and downs of life.

For some time I have had a friend who thought I was helping them.  Turns out perhaps they have helped me more. When I talk they do not edit me or argue. Often their silence is pure affirmation of me as a person.  It has not happened before in this way. 

They may not believe the argument but they always believe me - life changing for me. 

Every evangelical needs an agnostic as a friend to sharpen and hone their beliefs and to help discard absolutely false ones of themselves and the Creator.

I thank God everyday they arrived during this last turbulent season to remind me of who God made me to be and that I may be a dishevelled mess one day but it isn’t a permanent state. The next day without explanation I will be amazing. It doesn’t matter i can be like Saskatchewan weather 32 degrees one day and snow on the horizon that evening. It doesn’t mean anything is deeply flawed in me. 

Their silent encouragement and occasional words have brought out a stable acceptance that I am not just ok...I have moments of amazing and it’s all good.

In turn I have been able to edit the things in my life that hindered me from being my best. (Throwing off all that encumbers echoes loudly here)

We never know what slaves we have been to our stuff, loyalties, false notions of low self worth (no matter how deeply those lies have been branded on our fragile hearts) until we are set free from them by the truth.  It doesn’t matter who speaks that truth, God uses whatever or whomever we will listen to.

I will miss them when they go as our friendship is not a permanent fixture. The impact of their silence, their few words, their looks and the mutual enjoyment of creation how ever is empowering and endearing. Loads of laughter, challenging circumstances, crazy adventures and heap loads of room and forgiveness have created an internal cohesive space I no longer want to leave.

Thank God for friends of all faith and walks of life. 

--

Sheila Webster

Blossoms and Bugs by Joylene M. Bailey

The story was about an ant named George who had moved into a new neighbourhood. He was looking forward to meeting all of his neighbour ants, so as soon as he got all of his furniture moved in, he put his name on the mailbox at the end of his driveway: Mr. G. I. Ant. He waited and waited but nobody came to visit him. Turns out that all the other ants were afraid to visit Mr. Ant because of the name on his mailbox.

That story blew little Joy's eight-year-old mind. 

In that split second of understanding - that G. I. Ant could also be read as GIANT - she entered a whole new universe, an extraordinary and enchanting garden. A place where words were magic. Where they blossomed and bloomed, shifted and shimmered, startled and soothed. 

Her love of what words could do was born in that moment. 

As Joy grew, she collected words, like a gardener collects blooms in a basket, carefully choosing the choicest ones to display on notecards fastened to walls and mirrors in her house, or to press in the pages of a quote book. 

Scripture words, unique words, other people's words. She marvelled at the way the fragrance of another's words could carry her through the hardest days, and she hoped that one day she'd be able to use her own words to encourage someone else in the same way. 

So she worked in her garden of words whenever she could. She planted and weeded, collected and pressed. She studied and practiced, honing her skills. And she started giving her words away, in single blooms or larger bouquets, each a little different from the last.

Many years later, in the middle of a worldwide pandemic, she was contacted by a stranger who had read her words and wanted to use a small bouquet in a book of hope and encouragement she was publishing. 

That request blew Grandma Joy's fifty-eight-year-old mind.

But what is even more striking is that someone somewhere wrote a little story about an ant named George that blossomed the mind of a little girl. 

~~~~~

All images from Pixabay.com 

Joy plays in her word garden in Edmonton where she lives with The Cowboy and soon-to-be-married-in-the-middle-of-a-pandemic Babe. Find more of her words at Scraps of Joy.

  

A Play On Words by Katie Gerke

 This My heart is stirred a noble theme

 as I recite my verses for the king; 

my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer. Psalm 45:1

I was sifting through some old file folders and came across a stack of, "Quotable Quotes", which I thought would be appropriate for this month's theme. These quotes were written in moments of grief, joy, injustice, frustration, hope, comfort, and wistfulness.

In Passing  

"I enjoyed listening to your father tell stories. He had an exquisite sense of humor that mingled through his words like delicate wisps of smoke and if one looked carefully through the tendrils, you would see a glint in his eye as brilliant as a diamond that confirmed they were in the presence of a great man." 

101% 

“Dearest Marlene, I am glad we were able to reunite after 15 years of being apart. We seem to have weathered the "test of time" rather well. Thank goodness the exam consisted of multiple-choice questions that, statistically speaking, guaranteed a degree of victory in our lives. The questions asking us to describe our life's journey at length were daunting but the bonus marks for our efforts were generously rewarded. Now, it's time to heal, plant, laugh, and dance together again! “

Colorblind

"Black is not a color. As an artist, it's only a pigment of my imagination. As a person with obvious physical limitations, black signifies darkness which can overwhelm me at any time. By God's grace, I have brilliant lights of joy, peace, and hope within me that can, with all intents and purposes, extinguish it."

In Support of a Cause

“A citizen should take significant small steps to understand each other's burdens. By removing just one stone from another's shoulders will enable them to make great strides to do the same."

 My Website's Subliminal Message  

"Oralart makes the simple, important."

 Vertically Challenged

Do you know what I can't stand?

 What can't you stand?

 That's what I can't stand. 

You can't stand what? 

That I can't stand.  

What?! 

I can't stand! I can't stand! 

If you don't explain, I am walking away. 

You do know, I can't stand?

I'm standing now and going to walk away if you can’t explain what’s up.

Obviously, not me but you can still stand it. 

Don't tell me what I can stand and not stand. 

You can do both, but I can’t.  

I can't stand this; I'm leaving now. 

Yes, you can, and you can't stand it. 

I'll see you later. 

Now, that's something I can stand doing!   

Vital Statistics 

“I have His: phone number, fax, email, website, and street address. He's next door, right around the block, just across the street, a stone's throw away, a short hike, or you can even take a rocket ship to the moon and still be within an arm's length, the diameter of the teardrop, the volume of the breath, a thread of the heartbeat, a synapse of the first waking moments, He can still be found, regardless if you're lost, just call upon Him, and He will answer. No long-distance charges will apply.”

Taking Captive My Thoughts

 “The garbage piled up high up against the chain-link fence of pristine property, I was hoping to gain access to in the years to come. However, climatic changes were against me such as wind and rain, but I guess it was ultimately my responsibility to tend to the pile daily and diligently to remove the debris to dispose of it responsibly. Where this garbage comes from can be beyond me but once it is trapped up against the fence, either on myself or the Constant Gardener's on the other side, can pluck it up nimbly and destroy it as quickly and effortlessly as a whisper lovingly spoken in the middle of the night."

He stilled the storm to a whisper; Psalm 107:29

Finally… 

“This is the type of writing that will be making me millions! I am praying to God that I can find a person who knows a person who knows a friend whose father's brother-in-law, who lives next to a family of five, who just lost their beloved and very old pet dog, who knows the veterinarian, who euthanized Sparky (finally) who knows a publisher, who brings in his one-legged macaw, irritably named, Mac, to get his wings clipped. What are the chances? I’ll stick with the first two people and the friend and the rest of the prayer will have to play itself out.”

Words By Vickie Stam

We don't always plan to say the things we say.

Romans 7:15 in the ESV reads, "I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want but I do the very thing I hate."

What if I said, I do not say the things I want to say but I say the things I hate to say. Doesn't that sound frightening? But, if you admit it, you are probably guilty of saying something you wish you had never said.

And then there are those who have a tendency to speak without thinking more often than not. They blurt something out and their impulsive behaviour might be seen as undesirable or as just a part of who they are. 

The average person speaks about 7000 words per day. Imagine what the consequences of our words can look like. Our words can honour or shame, build up or tear down, soothe or annoy, love or hate. Each scenario offers others an insight into our nature.

Are you quiet or do you talk a lot? Are you optimistic or pessimistic? Are you kind hearted or insensitive? The words you use paint a picture of yourself for the world to see.

I'm seen by others as quiet or introverted, something I don't always find flattering and yet I guess my lack of conversation could make some people think that I have nothing to say. I just hope that I choose both the timing and my words carefully. 

On the other hand - I know someone that I will call, "B." B doesn't think before B speaks. I grew up hearing the words - "That's our B." It soon became apparent that it was part of B's character to just come out with it. 

Your words can be silent and still have power. How many words are implied with a look. When I was a child I knew what the look meant - mom's not kidding, do it again and see what happens, if your dad has to stop this car, you're going to wish he didn't" The look offered my mom a solution for a host of unspoken words. 

And yet, a smile could provide a mountain of encouragement, positivity, kindness, and love. Words have power! How someone talks to us will be remembered. How we talk to someone will also be remembered.

God tells us to choose our words wisely. Harsh words stir up anger. Your soul is nourished when you are kind. Gentle words bring life and health. 

Welcoming Coffee, Wild Rides, and Word Power - by Connie Mae Inglis

Confession #1: I love my morning coffee. Are you the same? In fact, some evenings, as I head for bed, I’m already thinking about tomorrow’s first cup of joe.

While I do love coffee, I am, in actuality, using the word “coffee” metonymically because it’s during my morning quiet time that I enjoy that first cup. That’s my favourite time of day. And when that time is done, my mind, spirit, soul, and body, have all been “caffeinated.” 

 In my upcoming novel, my protagonist is encouraged by a little girl’s words in his mind. They become a jolt of caffeine for him in the moment and are exactly what he needs in the face of some difficult choices. They offer him energy, understanding, encouragement, support, and hope.

Here’s another confession: As a mother, I’ve had a stressful and exhausting week. When you have adult children diagnosed with a mental illness, like I do (two, in fact, each diagnosed differently), life can be painful. When the illness become overwhelming, they can make choices that hurt—that cause sadness and grief—and that can result in lots of questions without answers. Lots of uncertainty. That’s been my week. 

This is not the first time I’ve ridden this merry-go-round. In fact, I’ve ridden it so often that I’ve started to give the horses names: Thunder. Fury. Donnie Darko. Funny words—but not! 

BUT GOD! 

I could end this post right here with those two words and it would be enough because GOD is enough! 

But I also know I’m not alone in facing troubles in this world. In fact, Jesus even promised this would happen. But He also provided ways to deal with trouble—to take heart. And to offer words rich with caffeine—words that energize, encourage, support, and offer hope. 

I’ve learned a lot about trusting a faithful and merciful God. 

I’ve also learned a lot about trusting faithful and supportive friends. I’ve learned that being vulnerable with people that really care about you is good. There is hope there. 

Confession #3: Sometimes I get so distraught and so exhausted on this caregiving journey that I don’t know how to pray. I have NO words! 

BUT GOD’S WARRIORS! 

In those times, I’ve learned to cry out to prayer warriors for help. I’ve learned to lean on others to uphold not just me but my family as well. Their prayers have often been my jolt of caffeine when I’m drowning in sorrow. 

One specific InScribe group has been my support. I’m talking about my writers’ group, Writers’ Café. The first time I opened up to them about what was going on, I discovered each one had encountered mental illness in some way, whether in their families or with friends. They listened. They empathized. They supported. NOT with trite answers or hollow clichés or judgment, but with love and grace. 

This group not only spoke into me and my situation but they wrote. I received many emails of support—their words of prayer and also Scripture passages that they prayed. Their words have sustained me through some difficult time. 

I’ve kept all their emails and return to them at times as a reminder of how good God has been in gifting me with this group of prayer warriors. I’d like to share some of their words with you in the hope that they’ll encourage you today:

“You and Doug are exercising faith beyond anything you every expected could happen in your family. When you get wobbly, take it to the Lord immediately. He's ready to hear anything you may have to say. I know you know that, but in circumstances like this we parents can shock ourselves with how violent our sense of violation and desire to protect can become. Remember, God had a son as well. He had to let Jesus go through some horrific stuff too before He could come out the other end. God knows. He understands.”

“When I closed my eyes to pray for you and Doug this afternoon I immediately saw a thick heavy fog. Then in the fog I could just make out the form of Jesus walking. He appeared tall and strong and resolute. You and Doug were stumbling along in the fog almost overwhelmed, one on each side of Jesus. He had a firm grip of each of you by the wrist and He was pulling you along through the fog. The look on his face was sad but determined. He looked straight ahead and He wasn't stopping and He wasn't letting go.”

Do these words fill you with hope like they do for me? 

I’m learning something else through these life-giving words. I’m beginning to realize that I too should be offering words to others. When the Spirit is nudging me to pray something specific for a person, I’m learning to ask the Spirit if He wants me to share it with the person I’m praying for. God can even use my words to help someone else. 

A few years ago, someone shared the song, “Speak Life” by TobyMac, with me, as a reminder of how powerful words can be. As a follower of Jesus, I desire to speak words of life—just like God and His people have done for me. I’m still learning. But, in God, there’s always hope! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeBv9r92VQ0 

Words, Words, Words! by Tracy Krauss

"Words, word, words!" 

Hamlet's declaration from Act Two Scene Two rings in my head as I ponder what to write for this month's theme. Hamlet is responding to Polonius's question, "What do you read, my lord?" At first, his answer seems obvious - even cryptic. "Words, words, words!" He is pretending to be mad and therefore the lines are often performed with either dramatic flair or comedic nuance. My favourite example is from a comedy spoof by the Reduced Shakespeare Company.  It makes me belly laugh every time! It's probably why these words are stuck in my head.

Words stick. 

Unfortunately, as some have already shared, negative words tend to be the most tenacious in this regard. I am reminded of the times when I have been careless with my own words or have even felt I had the right to express an opinion that ended up hurting someone. Oh, how I wish I could take those words back! Even though I apologized and tried to make it right, I cringe to think that my negative words may still be planted in someone's heart. 

Fortunately, we have God's Word.  

Psalm 119 in its entirety is a wonderful study on the attributes of the Word of God, including the familiar: "Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119: 105 (KJV)

Then there is THE WORD.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John 1: 14 (NIV)

As writers, we are in the business of words. 

No matter whom we are writing for, let's make sure our words are laced with grace. 

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Tracy Krauss plays with words on a daily basis from her home in northern BC. Visit her website to view her many novels, stage plays, short stories and devotional books. She is currently serving as InScribe's president.