Excuse me, I'm wonderful.

Okay, I was thinking in bed two nights ago about the power of words.  I mean, God spoke and created something from nothing with words.  Our words can build up or they can tear down.  They can bring life or death.  They can encourage or discourage.  In fact James 3 speaks very clearly on the subject, v. 2 "For we all stumble in many ways.  And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.  If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.  Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs.  So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things.  How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!"

"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." Proverbs 18:21  Do I want to eat the fruits of my words?  

Further more in Matthew 12:34 it says (Jesus is talking to the Pharisees), "You brood of vipers!  How can you speak good, when you are evil?  For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks." and later in v. 37 it says "for by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned."  Did anyone else gulp?

It got me thinking about what I say a lot, especially regarding myself and my situation.  I usually refer to myself as crazy.  I say, "it's been a crazy day, I'm feeling crazy, Don't you think I'm crazy? Why am I so crazy?" Etc.  So instead I'm replacing crazy with wonderful or at appropriate times, busy.  I want to try and be more positive.  As a man thinketh and all... right?  And maybe it could also be as a man speaketh...

I was also convicted recently while reading the book, Words Kids Need to Hear, of how much I say, "I'm sorry."  It's not that it's bad to say "I'm sorry" it's good to say you are and we need to say we are sorry, when we truly are and at the right time.  I have found myself saying, "I'm sorry" over things that aren't my fault and it cheapens the words.  Sometimes one expression I need to be using more is "Excuse me."  I want when I use the word "sorry" for it to be powerful, genuine, authentic and true.  I don't want it to become some old, worn-out catch phrase, free-for-all expression.  

One of my most common phrases has been, "I'm sorry I'm so crazy"  That is why I have jokingly called the title of this post, "Excuse me I'm wonderful".  It's not that I'm dwelling on me and thinking I'm something to write home about it's that I want the words I use to be appropriate and honoring to God.  I want them to be positive and not negative.  I want them to be encouraging and life-giving.  I know I will stay say my life is crazy from time to time, because it is a little wild, okay more than a little, but I want to focus on the wonderful things I have... the blessings, the joys, and the gifts God has given me.