Sophie King

Our words are impactful. As I silenced the noise in Montana, I wrote on a yellow pad of paper and recognized the words I wrote had impact because the noise was hushed. It was just the pen, paper, & me. I could write edifying words, ones that glorify the Lord, or tear me down. But when it’s loud again, we dismiss the value & weight of our words. But it doesn’t take away the impact. If we speak words in a hurry or even demeaning words to a stranger, we leave behind impact. Whether we see it as a frustrating glimpse into our day, it can leave a long lasting impact on another. So I have longed and desired to use my words the same as I would in the silence, when the noise is cut and hushed. The first words spoken are highlighted, everyone turns their head to hear. But if we all yell at once, we assume the words have less impact. But when I turned the noise back on and WiFi was back, the impactful cutting words came flying into my mind and heart. They made impact. Choose your words wisely, be kind, choose love & forgiveness. The kind of words you’d choose if it was just the Lord, you, pen & paper. Don’t throw your words around like they have no impact.

I hesitated more with the words I would write on the ripped yellow note pad paper. And the words I found myself writing were ones of reflection and thanksgiving. Showing the overflow of my heart in the silence was not what I was missing or what I desired, but what I was thankful for. I think the silence is important for reflection. The constant noise and go go go lifestyle doesn’t take away the impact but possibly the goodness and gratefulness.

I realized that as a believer in Jesus my words can be added to the noise when I’m speaking from my flesh, or it can bring peace and set forth freedom when I’m speaking from gratefulness and goodness. Kingdom talk isn’t cheesy or confusing. It’s truth and love, hand in hand. Bringing heaven on earth feels uncomfortable and a battle but necessary and comforting.

While experiencing the thick of my anxiety and depression I rarely viewed silence as a good thing. Only a fear inducing, desert like silence. But lately the silence I’ve recognized as I’m experiencing it is, rest. And rest produces a time for gratefulness and peace.

Our words have impact. The words we feed our thoughts, our hearts, our loved ones, strangers, or the air have impact.

Thanks for reading,

Tay Ruth