Thursday, May 23, 2013

Are Your Words Delicious?

 

by Jennifer AlLee
 
My son and I were talking with friends yesterday, and somehow, the subject of complaining came up. The conversation went something like this:


Son: "We love to complain at my house."
Friend: "I don't think I've heard your mom complain."
Son: "Believe me, she does."

Enlightening, don't you think? Overall, I really do try to be an upbeat, positive person. But my immediate family gets to experience all my raw honesty. Yes, they have the honor of hearing me complain. Why? Because I love them, of course. And because I trust them enough to let them know exactly how I feel.

My son's joke today made me think about my attitude. It could definitely use some adjusting.

Those who control their tongue will have a long life; opening your mouth can ruin everything.
Psalm 13:3, NLT
I admit, I sometimes have a hard time controlling my tongue. One of my coping mechanisms is humor and sarcasm, so I tend to make a lot of jokes. Sometimes, they are well-placed. Other times... not so much. I've asked the Lord to help me think before I speak. This is still a work in progress.

Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.
The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
Psalm 18:20-21, NLT
Don't you just love verse 20? Wise words satisfy like a good meal. Yummy! That's what I want to do... deliver delicious, life-giving words. Won't you join me? Let's dish up feasts for the ears and souls of those around us!

(This post was originally published in June 2011)


JENNIFER ALLEE believes the most important thing a woman can do is find her identity in God – a theme that carries throughout her novels. A professional writer for over twenty years, she's done extensive freelance work for Concordia Publishing House, including skits, Bible activity pages, and over 100 contributions to their popular My Devotions series. Her novels include The Love of His Brother (Five Star, 11/07), The Pastor’s Wife (Abingdon Press, 2/10), The Mother Road (Abingdon Press, 4/12) and A Wild Goose Chase Christmas (Abingdon Press, 11/12). She's thrilled to be working on her first historical series with the amazing Lisa Karon Richardson. Diamond in the Rough (Whitaker House) is the first book in the Charm and Deceit series, available now. And... as if that's not enough, her novella Comfort and Joy will appear in the Christmas anthology, Mistletoe Memories (Barbour, 9/13) She's a member of American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Christian Authors Network, and the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance.
Visit Jennifer's website at www.jenniferallee.com/

7 comments:

  1. Oh Jen. I sure get that 'sarcasm' thing and I think that's why I feel so comfortable with you!

    While I too aim to train my mouth, I am the last person to judge in that department.
    A thought occurred to me that I think emphasizes your point. When I think of the people in my life that I consider the kindest, not one of them uses sarcasm. Ouch.

    (we all have different gifts, eh? ha ha ha)

    While I know the Lord would have us all be kind-hearted and express it through gentle speech, He's big enough to use someone like me in other ways.

    None of us wants to be thought of as a complainer but to be a person who only vents frustration and disappointment to the Lord is something few of us have mastered!

    "That's what friends are for!"

    And God, through His mercy and grace, changes us a little each day to be more like him. I may live a long time...

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  2. I'm really digging verse 20 too! Isn't that what we as writers aim to do every day? Deliver words that satisfy? Reminds of the scripture about how can bitter and sweet water flow from the same spring? They can't.

    Thanks for the reminder to check myself! I fall prey to snark all too easily.

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  3. never thought about my words being yummy. very cool. will have to share with my mom. she'd LOVE this post. she's a big word person and always watches what she says.

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  4. "I fall prey to snark all too easily."

    Guilty as charged. Sigh. More to work on.

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  5. Jen, that's a great verse! I'm going to keep that one handy.

    Over the years I've known you, I haven't heard you complain - or maybe it just doesn't bother me if you do because I love you? :)

    I've found myself complaining a lot this year. I know some of that comes from the frustration of always being in pain, but Nelson and the kids doing extra to pick up where I'm lacking so they shouldn't have to list to my moaning, too.

    Thank you for the brain re-wiring. I'll watch myself at home.

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  6. There's a fine line with sarcasm, and a lot of times it depends on who you're being sarcastic with. For example, Deb and I would have a good old time throwing comments back and forth, but I have some friends who I know do not have the sarcasm gene. Ya gotta know your friends!

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  7. Lovely, Jen, and very worthwhile.

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