The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.  [Proverbs 15:2]

There is one who speaks rashly like the thrusts of a sword, But the tongue of the wise brings healing.  [Proberbs 12:18]

There have been a lot of things on my mind lately.  Maybe even some “Why” questions!  For instance, “Why must some people [relatives and friends no less] choose to speak words of hate, anger and grief into our lives?”, “Why not err on the side of caution and say nothing at all?” and “Why insist on including us in their drama?”

Well, today, Joel Osteen had a wonderful message for me [and you]!  *wink*

”Are your words bringing healing to the people around you? The Bible clearly tells us that life and death are in the power of our tongue. We can use our tongue to build people up and encourage them with words of healing, or we can just as easily sow negative seeds with our words. The Bible says that the tongue of the wise brings healing. Choose to be wise today by choosing healing words. Choose to look for the best in others and build them up. Choose healing words over gossip; choose words of freedom and peace over anger and judgment. Let your words uplift and encourage the people in your life. Speak strength and hope to others. As you use your words to bring healing, God will pour out more of His wisdom in your life. You’ll reap the harvest you’ve sown with your words. God will pour out His blessing and increase in your life so you can live the abundant life He has in store for you.”

He must be devoted to the trustworthy message that agrees with what we teach, so that he may be able to encourage others with healthy doctrine and refute those who oppose it.  [Titus 1:9]

Sadly, we can’t change others or the way they behave.

What we can do is stay strong in the Word of God.  Rely on His grace and strength to see us through the times that we feel hurt or even angry.  We can use His Word and His promises as a shield to deflect the ‘… thrusts of the sword …’.

Finally, instead of repaying the anger and hatred with the same, we can respond with love and kindness – praying for those that hurt us!

That’s why they hold the title “F-R-I-E-N-D”!!!

But encourage one another day after day …  [Hebrews 3:13]

Therefore encourage one another and build up one another …  [I Thessalonians 5:11]

Amidst the ongoing drama in my life and business, I had the opportunity to venture to college late last week and meet with my new advisor.

Originally, I was directed to a guy [really good friend of my ex-husband] who oversees the ‘Web Development’ students.  All potential drama aside, he was very professional and completely helpful!  He got me on the right track and helped me to figure out some education ‘strategy’.

Once I received my acceptance letter however, I found that my advisor would be the ‘programming dude’.  Which is totally awesome.  Not trying to brag, but the design aspect in anything is kind of a given.  I mean, if you’re creative and talented, well, then, you’re creative and talented.  You have a ‘knack’ and a desire for it.  It’s not really something you can ‘learn’.

Programming on the other hand, is something you can learn – something you can be taught!  Especially by someone who takes an interest in your success!

Most people raise a brow or frown a bit when you tell them you’re self-taught.  Not many will put much stock in it.  However, my new advisor and I totally hit it off.  (Oddly, he reminds me of a peculiar combination of my brother and ex-husband!  - Go figure!)  Once I began to describe my background and goals, he was impressed!

Needless to say, this interview really gave me an ego boost and confirmed something I already know, but continually fail to give myself [and God] credit for!

As the week ends, and sadly goes down ‘in the books’ as one of the most stressful, challenging, heart-breaking and ‘thought provoking’ weeks I’ve ever had, it will also be known for its encouragement, validation and reinforcement!

All week, SO many e-mails came in from friends, cheering me on and supporting my decision to go back to college!  People that I know are busy, preoccupied, grieving, struggling and suffering themselves, took the time out of their schedules to send me a simple “Atta girl!”

It’s for those friends, brothers and sisters in Christ, that I truly thank God for!

Whenever you feel compelled, deep-down, to make a phone call, send an e-mail, a card or ‘drop by’ and offer an encouraging, loving, uplifting word - - DO IT!  It is God’s way of using you to make a difference in someone’s mood, their day - - perhaps their life!

… knowledge causes people to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud), but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies and builds up and encourages one to grow [to his full stature.]  [I Corinthians 8:1]

1 Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, 2 make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. 3 Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; 4 do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.  [Philippians 2:1-4]

A few weeks ago, while at Wal-Mart, my little guy and I picked up some flowers seeds from Wal-Mart.  We both get really excited about buying seeds, imagining all the beautiful life and color that will grow from them.  Jordan loves to pick out a range of wonderfully colored flowers and tries to find something that everyone in the family can appreciate.  This includes finding flowers in a range of colors to fulfill everyone’s favorites.  (This year, we even found green zinnias for me!)

I, on the other hand, have unpleasant recollections of many, many years of failed attempts at this.  (I’ve been a Mom for 16 years!)  But nonetheless, I continue to try.

I always put the little bugers in Miracle Grow and baby them inside.  This year however, Jordan had other plans.  So I tilled a patch of dirt in the flower bed and before I could ‘guide’ him on the official techniques of ‘seed sowing’ (straight from the OCD handbook) all four pouches of seeds were empty and all the little seeds were presented to the world – in no particular fashion.

I was not happy about this!  It was all too ‘hap-hazard’!

If, after all the years of babying and nurturing our little seeds, we had not managed to produce any healthy plants, how on Earth were they going to grow like this?

I collected myself and focused on my child’s initiative and eagerness to make something grow!  We covered the little seeds with some Miracle Grow, watered them thoroughly and put a piece of glass over them to ‘protect’ them.

After about a week, I started watching for the little buds to show, but nothing.  After two weeks, I began my rhetoric of ‘I knew it’ and proceeded to devise all the excuses I could offer Jordan if and when his little flowers didn’t make an appearance.

After some time had passed with little hope of life, I removed the glass to let the little seeds soak up some of the rain that we’ve been getting.  (And getting…and getting…)

At this point, I was simply trying to not stress these silly little plants!  After all, I had more important things to worry about!

On Tuesday, I had a particularly excruciating time getting my oldest son to the bus and to my dismay, we did in fact miss it and have to chase him through town.  (Not one of my best moments, but sadly, a reoccurring one!)  So, after fighting the mud and pathetically sliding the length of my yard once, I had parked along the side of the house [on the road] instead.

A bit later, although bright and early as usual, Jordan and I headed out of the house.  Gloomy, dismal fog filled the air around us and the incessant chill was more akin to that of late Fall rather than Spring.  Still, not my ideal morning!

Amidst my aggravation, I happened to stop for a moment to look down and examine our little ‘flower bed’…

What did I see?

Lots and lots of little green sprouts!  All over the place.  The more I inspected the scene, the more I saw!

What did I learn?

No matter how bad our day seems to be…no matter what direction life seems to be headed [whether it be a particular task, a day, a week, or longer] God always has little seeds He’s sown into our lives.  And unlike my 4-year old, He’s used much care and precision in His planting methods!  His timing may not be our timing.  His direction may differ from ours.  We need to remember however, to trust Him even when the outcome seems dead and lifeless.  There are always endless possibilities, broadened horizons, lessons learned, exciting dreams, newfound hope, excitement, joy … new growth to take pleasure in!

Look among the nations! Observe! Be astonished! Wonder! Because I am doing something in your days– You would not believe if you were told.  [Habakkuk 1:5]

Is anything too difficult for the LORD? …  [Genesis 18:14]