Gracious Words

Last night I met with a couple for pre-marital counselling and the topic was communication. We had a fruitful discussion interspersed with a lot of giggles and “aha” moments as each saw the flaws in how they communicate and how their way of communicating affects how the other person receives the message.

Communication is a skill. In communication we send messages across and we expect that the listener hears and give us feedback. As with everything else, presentation is important to communication whether you are speaking with a child, an adult, your boss or subordinate. Those who have mastered the skill of speaking right get the best out of their hearers.

We all know that words are important but do we always take time to consider our words before we speak them?

I know I do not always do that. I am being honest here. Let me share an anecdotal conversation between me and my number two this morning. Just before we left home for school I called him “fat cheeks”. He looked at me in shock ( fake shock of course) and said in the most exaggerated tone only he could master “mummy!!!, you’re supposed to be my mother and not my insulter “( I know it’s not a word). To which I replied “oh I can do both equally well”. We all laughed and left the house. The lesson from that is a mother’s (parent’s) words are important to their children. We must choose our words carefully and not crush their spirits. Many have gone wayward and done unbelievable things because of the words of a parent.

Proverbs 16:24 puts it beautifully, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Another favorite of mine is “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” Proverbs 25:11. What beautiful imagery. I know we all need people in our lives who will say it as it is but there is a time and place for that. We must learn to speak truth in love if we want to make a positive impact on others and help them also be their best. It is not always easy but with practice we will all get there.

Remember that life and death lies in the power of the tongue. Determine to speak life today.

Blessings.

Love, Lady Monica