Word Pictures

Back in earlier years of blogging, sometimes there would be a post featuring a color like red or blue, or magenta. The blogger would take us all through her house to show us examples of that color. Yes, that may have been a result of 'writer's block.' 🤔

While I don't suffer from that mental malady today, there are some things in life that are not worthy (or appropriate) for the blog. So instead of giving you an account of my recent days, the title of today's post, "Word Pictures," is what I've come up with. It is literally true, chock-full of photos of words. I am illustrating many examples of words found throughout my home. 

Preparing for this article was a fun scavenger hunt. It would be a good game to play when the grandchildren come to visit. 

 

Words are fascinating. They can be used in countless ways:

instruct

warn

apology

heal

encourage

gratitude

hint

decorate

describe

remind

entertain

challenge

convict

convince

condemn

discourage

love

relax

lie

accuse

intrigue

forgive

We've all heard the misconception from childhood:

"Sticks and stones may break my bones

but words will never hurt me."

Words are a powerful instrument that are used in both positive and negative ways:

wisely

ignorantly

carefully

too much

There are some things that should never be said.... And there are other things we neglect to say that need to be expressed. 

As my greatest lifestyle teacher [mother] used to say:

"If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all."

One of my children, having reached adulthood, reached this conclusion:

"Just because you think it 

doesn't mean you have to say it."

Here is an observation from the Old Testament on the timing and suitability of words:

A word fitly spoken is like 

apples of gold in pictures of silver.

Proverbs 25:11

This thought is perhaps the most scary of all:

"Death and life are in the power 

of the tongue [our spoken words]."

Proverbs 18:21

It has been said that words, once spoken, are like toothpaste -- you cannot put them back into the tube if you regret what you said. Like everybody else, I have said things I should not have uttered, things I regret, things spoken out of ignorance, anger, guilt, and so forth. 

The Lord's mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:23). I apply this to my poor judgement and outright wrong behavior of the past: God forgives the repentant heart and His kindness to us applies from here on out. 

Having observed all of the above, this is my prayer:

Let the words of my mouth,

and the meditation of my heart,

be acceptable in thy sight,

O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.

Psalm 19:14

In closing, I am reminded of one more warning about words:

"When there are many words, 

transgression is unavoidable,

but he who restrains his lips is wise."

Proverbs 10:19

Until next time, grace and peace.