Monday, October 13, 2008

Having a Mary Spirit---Speaking Love




What spoke most to me in this Chapter

Speaking the truth in Love
I could truly identify with Joanna remarks on tolerance- which is often a fear of rejection. I agree with Joanna I tolerate things people do because I don’t want to lose or harm a relationship. I believe people don’t want to hear the truth. My experience has been people believe themselves to be right and in God’s will. Joanna pointed out a fact I never considered before “Bottom line: we love ourselves more than we love others.” Not my intentions when I don’t loving speak the truth to those I care about.

Build Up-Don’t Tear Down
I learn Ephesians 4:29 over this pass summer- Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” This verse often come to me when I am getting ready to respond to some thing negative or persons who stand in need of encouragement. I need this verse so very much in my job.

Being Still
I can relate to Joanna, I too have written letters in the midst of anger, work related, thanks to God I had sense enough to share the letters with someone wiser before sending. This gave me someone to help me be still and let my anger past before dealing with the situation. “Being Still” is very wise advice and will save us from later regret.

Learning to control my tongue has been a struggle at times and I really am one of those quiet people who listen rather than talk, except when I am angry than my tongue gets busy and often uncontrollable. Hopefully knowing I must answer for the words I speak to God will help me to have better control even in anger. Learning to speak in love is a process as is all good character development. Thanks be to God He is working me for His good purpose and as He works like Joanna I pray I want my words to count for the Lord’s purposes, not undermine them. I want to be a Barnabas-an encourager, the kind of woman who reaches out to people and leaves them feeling refreshed and restored. I want to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit. Taking time to encourage people with small things as a note, phone call, a positive word in turbulent times. I want o be a friend who is willing to speak truth gently, humbly, and above all lovingly. I want to refresh the Lord by loving others in word and deed.

Bold-Joanna Weaver
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2 comments:

tammi said...

"I believe people don’t want to hear the truth. My experience has been people believe themselves to be right and in God’s will."

Yup, this would be my prime excuse, too! I'd forgotten about that section in this chapter. Weaver certainly brings up a reality I'd never considered before.

godlover said...

It really is hard for me to control my tongue when angry or excited. I loved this verse in Ephesians, it brings me up short on those many times I failed. I am not a complainer by nature so it always surprises me when I cross over the line in relationships. But really, like our mothers used to tell us: If you can't say something good about someone, don't say anything at all. My mother kind of altered that saying a bit by saying: If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all. I really do try to live that way. I just seem to fail a lot, HA! Thanks for your post. As usual, it touched me.
Marj