I count it a privilege to be able to write again after missing a week. I recently had foot surgery and during what the doctor and I consider a very positive outcome, while recovering I somehow contracted the dreaded influenza that has now reached epidemic status. But daily I continue to speak positive words to myself by saying “this too shall pass”.

In my last blog I wrote about the weight and impact of words and more pointedly, what we say, how we say it, and when it is said. This is a subject that should be at the forefront of our minds as we communicate daily with those around us. Today I want to go a little deeper along those same lines.

There is someone very special in my life that I had the privilege of serving and became very close to. She was and still is a very beautiful woman both inside and out. I admired many things about her and considered it an honor to serve her in whatever capacity God so ordained. As we bonded in our personal relationship I became comfortable in letting her know that I greatly admired her style and the expression of her beauty and grace in the way she dressed.

To my great delight she began to pass along articles of clothing that she no longer needed in her wardrobe. I will tell you that every outfit was an honor and brought such joy to wear. Not only was she known for her style and grace, but there was always a beautiful fragrance that engulfed her and permeated her clothing. Even after it came back from the cleaners that faint fragrance somehow lingered. I would never attempt to, but I couldn’t forget where the outfit came from even if I tried!

That’s the way our words should be when we speak. Proverbs 16: 24 so aptly supports my belief. “Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones.” Quite frankly, this is what we should strive for when we speak to others as well as what we speak over ourselves. The issue comes when we fail to understand how detrimental what proceeds out of our mouths can be. But to the contrary, we have the ability to speak words of truth, life, and encouragement that can last for longer than you can even imagine . . . sometimes a lifetime!

Just like the fragrance that lingered in the articles of clothing from that special person in my life, your words should remain as a sweet smelling and soothing savor. You never know what the Lord has placed in your spirit to impart into another individual that is destined to change the course of their day and possibly their life. During this time of recovery when I was feeling low physically and emotionally, I received a text that brightened what could have been a very dark day. It read, “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You are allowed to have a ‘moment’. God sees, and He understands and He allows us to cast ALL of our cares on Him”.

There is so much negativity in the world today. It casts a dark, depressing blanket over the news media, all forms of social media, in the workplace, and unfortunately our churches and homes. Nothing good ever comes out of words spoken from a source of negativity devoid of love. Yet, miraculous change and progress is inevitable when communication derives from a source of love and peace. Change a situation, change an environment, change a life with the power and the soothing fragrance of YOUR words.

Source: First Lady Denise