SWEET WORDS

SWEET WORDS

READ:
Proverbs 16:19-24

Put on tender mercies, kindness,
humility, meekness, longsuffering.
-Colossians 3:12

Scott had always admired the relationship between Ken and Phyllis, his wife's parents.  So he asked them one day what made their marriage work.  Ken replied, "You need to keep it sweet!"

A friend of mine concludes many of her notes to me and my husband and other friends with these words:  "Remember to be good to each other."

That's great advice from both of them about being kind.  The daily stresses of life can easily cause us to get irritable with our spouses or with others.  We pick at the little annoyances or criticize minor habits.  We blurt out harmful, unkind words without thinking.

The book of Proverbs gives us counsel about the words we use with others.  It says, "Whoever guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from troubles" (21:23).  And there are these warnings:  "Death and life are in the power of the tongue" (18:21):  and "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing" (12:18 NIV).  Ken's advice about "keeping it sweet" reminds me of Proverbs 16:24, "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and heath to the bones."

Lord, fill our hearts with words that will be a blessing to others today. -Anne Cetas

Instead of hurling angry words
That wound and sitr up strife,
Use words of kindness, filled with love,
That heal and nourish life. -Sper
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Kind hearts are the gardens; kind thoughts are the roots;
kind words are the flowers, kind deeds are the fruits.

INSIGHT
Proverbs 16:21 tells us how wisdom can be expressed for the benefit of others:  "the wise in heart will be called prudent."  The wise person takes heaven's values into view with discerning life's issues.  This person is circumspect and honest in dealings with others.  Often, his or her insight into life's problems attracts those seeking advice.  However, insight without the ability to communicate it is insufficient and ineffective.  That's why the proverb goes on to say, "and sweetness of the lips increases learning."  Sweetness of the lips" refers to the kind of speech that influences the behavior of others for the better.  The eloquence and beauty of wise speech makes that person's insight more compelling.

Have a blessed day.
God Our Creator's Love Always
Unity & Peace