It's funny the memories that stick with you from the time when you were a kid. Maybe you can imagine in vivid detail the Christmas morning when you got your first bike-the room, the tree, the texture of the carpet, and the fact you were out of bed at 3:00 a.m. Maybe you can remember a teacher who called out what was great about you, a compliment you can still hear like she's whispering it in your ear. These memories connect end to end and become who we are, and the words that stick on our hearts shape us the most.
Just like some heckling kept us off the field because of how we threw or ran like a giraffe in roller skates, the right words from the right people put us on track to become nurses, public servants, or human rights advocates when they told us our talents could change the world. Powerful words gave us the gentle push we needed, the courage to push past. If we were to trace our steps back along the path that led us here, we would likely find it all started with a few well-placed words from someone we trusted.
It's no surprise when you think about it: God set the universe in motion with words. He called for light, and the stars burst onto the backdrop of the night sky. He wanted kangaroos and koala bears, so He spoke them into existence. God's words have the power to create life. He gave our words the power to shape lives.
Here's what we need to do: be picky about the words we say. They have the power to shape our lives and the lives of the people around us. Equally important, be careful about the words you cling to. Don't read the junk mail. Check out the return address first. If it didn't come from Jesus, it's not worth listening to.
What words have you been listening to lately, other than God's? ~~~~~~
Love in Action (I copied this, but didn’t save the source.🥴)
Scripture has a lot to say about the way we treat people. If we have been saved by God, and have been shown the mercy and goodness of God, then we ought to show mercy and goodness to other people. Essentially… …what we believe should determine how we act. All of us who have received grace freely from God ought to also give grace freely to others. In Paul’s letter to the church in Ephesus, he encourages them to be kind and compassionate to others. This idea is spread across all of God’s Word… “Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.” 1 John 4:11 NIV
“…All of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.” 1 Peter 3:8 NIV.
“You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate.” Luke 6:36 NLT
Showing other people compassion is one of the primary ways that we communicate God’s love to other people. If we fail to love other people, we also fail to show them God’s love.
Paul also says we should forgive other people in our life, just as we have already been forgiven by Jesus. Forgiveness and compassion go together. When we do not forgive others, we fail to show them the same compassionate love that Jesus has shown us. A love that, as it suffered for us and because of us, still allowed Jesus to say, "Father forgive them—because they don't know what they're doing." We ought to be careful that we do not deny others the same love we’ve been freely given.
If you want to learn more about how to be kind, compassionate, and forgiving toward others, you can read through the stories of Jesus’ life and ministry found in the books Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
But right now, take some time to think about the people in your own life who you may have the opportunity to show compassion to. Is there someone in need who you can help? Is there a person you can forgive? Is there someone who you can encourage?
Today is a great day to show people the same love, compassion, and forgiveness that you have received.
Be persistent in building your habits of courage, compassion and connection.
Such a wonderful piece
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