Give Grace

"Therefore, let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification, according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear."  Eph. 4:29

Reading through my Bible last weekend, in preperation for our weekly Bible study, I read this verse and it hit me hard.  It's not a new verse to me.  I can't tell how many times I heard this touted in college, was encouraged to memorize it.  I'm sure I carried it around on more than one index card.

But I've not kept this verse tucked away in my heart and it really struck in my struggles with my children.  My patience with them has not been at it's best lately and too often I find myself snapping at them or saying things that well, in all truthfulness, are probably quite hurtful.  As a parent, I want to brush it aside.  I want to tell myself that these things aren't really that bad. They understand that I only say them because I'm grumpy or tired or "just had a moment".  They are resilient and will get past it and be fine in life.  And while that may be true to a degree, it's so not. 

They are beautiful babies being molded into adults who will carry each and every word in their heart.  While I'm sure many negative words will roll off them, I have no idea which ones will stick with them for the rest of their lives.  So I need to not say any of them.  It's not easy.  Especially in those sleep-deprived-wanting-to-pull-my-hair-out moments.  Therefore, I've been trying to tuck this verse away in my heart so that it will be with me in those moments and help me pull through.

The thing that strikes me most about this verses is the last part "...it will give grace to those who hear."  Wow.  Floors me to think that just some simple, edifying words can bring God's amazing grace to someone's life. 

What does this have to do with physical fitness?  I work on these memory verses while I'm working out.  It helps keep my eyes from staring at the clock watching the seemingly-endless seconds tick away.  And it hit me that this verse can apply to ourselves as well.

I've had more Mondays, unfortunately.  The big lag in this blog attests to that.  It's easy to fall into negative words towards ourselves.

"You're a failure."
"You can't really do this."
"Don't bother, you won't get there."

On and on the list could go... 

I'm trying to repeat this verse when the negative thoughts creep in, reminding myself of the good, the positve.  That I can do this, I will get there, I am mentally, emotionally and physically strong enough.  And so are you.  Bring a little grace to your own life with some uplifting words.