Monday, August 8, 2011

Speaking Peace

Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace. ~Buddha
Words. 

They are so powerful, aren't they?
Words kill, words give life, they're either poison or fruit--you choose. ~Proverbs 18:21 
I collect quotes. Among my collection are a lot of excerpts about words.  It seems that each religion weighs in about the gravity of words. 
Words which give peace, words which are good and beautiful and true, and also the reading of sacred books: this is the harmony of words. ~Bhagavad Gita
We have all been the recipients of hurtful words that have caused brokenness. Words of death.

And, we all can recall the perfect words, breathed to us at just the right time, that lifted us up and brought us peace. Words of life.
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For those of you who don't know, my background is in counseling. Often, in my efforts to be authentic and real, I am transparent and fully share "me" with my friends. The good, the bad and the ugly.

Not necessarily a bad thing.

But.

Recently I've been hurt.

In my sadness, I've found myself unable to share the reason with some friends. It would be wrong to share. My sharing, while authentic and real, would be words of death.

Sometimes, remaining quiet is the wise thing to do. 

I'm still working on reconciling it all.

Instead, I'm trying to focus my efforts on speaking words of grace and peace and love--words of life.

This isn't just for my friends. It starts at home with the girls and with Brad.

Disciplining the girls with love and grace.
Loving my husband with words.

Speaking peace into my family. It's really part of my job description.

How do you speak peace into your family?
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804. Playdate with Shelly and Max.

805. Walk with Sara and Silas.

806. Sara speaking grace to me.

807. Lunch with Erin, Becca and Christina.

808. Two little girls sitting on the register on a hot summer day.


809. New project for our walls from the very talented Melissa.

810. Impromptu visit from Abby.


811. Two cooks in my kitchen giving me a night off from cooking. 


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7 comments:

Sara said...

I am thankful for our walks, too :)

Olusola said...

I'm a work in progress that much I know.

Are your girls wearing amber necklaces for teething? Would you recommend it?

Kay K said...

joining you in PRAISE to GOD for his many blessings on us

Amy Sullivan said...

Julia,
I love what you said about having "perfect words breathed into us"...yes, I can remember times when those words have come.

Lisa said...

I really enjoyed reading your post, beautiful!!!

Twinside Out said...

Words can be so powerful, can't they? So easily spoken, and not easily undone.

I like what you wrote about speaking peace into your family being part of your job description. Very true.

Night off from cooking! How wonderful!!

Michelle DeRusha said...

I recall many "words of life" graciously offered to me this past year as we've walked through grief. They truly heal.

Praying you will heal from your hurt as well...