Our words have giving power.
Always, they give…either blessing or cursing…long after we’ve said them they live on.
The other day I saw a post on facebook on a popular home and garden page. A women had written in asking the community what ‘style’ her home was, she included a photo of her darling ranch cottage. I assume she was in the process of adding curb appeal and wanted input about what direction she might go…I was excited to tell her how much I love the color and that she had a perfect canvas for most any style. But as I typed the first word my eye drifted to the comment before mine.
“Just tear it down…” came the vicious insult. What?
Stunned and horrified I scrolled through a few more of the comments.
“The garage needs to be taken down” ,”Consider moving”, It’s a “garage with a cottage”, “I hate garages that overpower”…
Vicious, insulting words next to little profile pictures of smiling beautiful women.
What exactly was the intent of the women who threw insults? Did they just want to make someone feel ‘less-than’?
My heart broke for the young woman who sent in a photo of her home. She was simply asking for input about the style. These comments must have bruised. Maybe even made her feel bad about her home, the place she lived and laughed and might be raising children.
It’s not uncommon in online communities for smiling people hugging their pups or kissing their baby to throw rocks at others. It’s easy to throw rocks when you’re not face to face, but I wonder…are those snarky, cynical, sarcastic words online just a reflection of what we’re thinking all the time, because if it’s there in our hearts and in our head…it will come out of our mouths at some point. But why would someone want to bring turmoil and not peace to a situation?
If I ask this of others, I first must ask it of myself…
Why does knee-jerk cynicism run strong through me some days?
Why do I sometimes throw careless words wrapped in harsh tones at those I love?
What exactly is my intended outcome, to make someone feel less-than, to put them on the defense, to infuse a bit of chaos into a situation?
Maybe I forget the profound power that my words have. Because my friends, if I think through the choices, bringing peace and life into a moment or to bringing turmoil and hurt, with my whole heart, I want to choose peace.
(I wrote this last week right after I read that interaction on Facebook, since then, a song has haunted me day and night, it’s actually a prayer of Saint Frances made into a song. I think it’s God’s way of giving me the words to pray…
Lord, make me an instrument of Your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
Where there is injury, pardon;
Where there is doubt, faith;
Where there is despair, hope;
Where there is darkness, light;
Where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled as to console;
To be understood as to understand;
To be loved as to love;
For it is in giving that we receive;
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
It is in dying that we are born again to eternal life.
This is my prayer sweet friends~sending you so-much love today
xo
Tom says
July 24, 2013 at 7:18 amBeautiful my friend. May we love as God loves us. I can so relate to “Why do I sometimes throw careless words wrapped in harsh tones at those I love?”
LORD made us to be an instrument of HIs peace. Praying we play our part. Blessings and happy belated birthday:)
Robin says
July 24, 2013 at 6:37 pmTom, thank you for the birthday wish sweet friend Hugs
mary louise says
July 24, 2013 at 7:25 amI love this prayer thank you for reminding us that words do matter in all situations. You have given me a “God Moment” thank you
Robin says
July 24, 2013 at 6:38 pmMary Louise, thank you my friend xo
Julie Garmon says
July 24, 2013 at 7:43 amI felt myself tearing up for this poor woman, Robin.
Your title to this post is so powerful. And it’s a truth I forget sometimes–that He can and He will and He wants to make me an instrument of His peace.
Love you. Love this!
Robin says
July 24, 2013 at 6:39 pmJulie, I felt exactly that way when I read the comments…but it helped me see that sometimes I forget…xo
Cindy @ Applestone Cottage says
July 24, 2013 at 7:51 amBeautifully written from the heart.
Thanks for sharing this Robyn.
Cindy
Robin says
July 24, 2013 at 6:37 pmCindy, thank you my friend xo
Cindy says
July 24, 2013 at 8:45 amLove your post! Words are so powerful-they can either build us up or tear us down. We all need to be careful not only what we say or write, but the intent behind it. I teach preschoolers and we sing this song in Sept. to carry us through the year … Encourage one another and build each other up..which we adults need to remember as well. Thanks for sharing.
Robin says
July 24, 2013 at 6:36 pmCindy, wouldn’t it be refreshing if we all learned this from the time we were preschoolers? I love the song xo
Ashley K says
July 24, 2013 at 9:19 amLove this post. We need to bring peace wherever we may go. Let us all try harder. I will cherish this prayer. Thank you so much for sharing it. 🙂
Robin says
July 24, 2013 at 6:29 pmAshley, Yes…take peace wherever we go…isn’t that amazing? I love it…we can take peace and give it away wherever we go. so wise my friend xo
Diana says
July 24, 2013 at 9:27 amThank you for Saint Frances song Robin. I never go on facebook, because of the outburst and cruelty of people on there. I find Hometalk to be more about showing and sharing, which suits me better. My greatest hope is people will just think, before saying whatever crosses their minds, especially when it is just mean and serves no purpose.
Robin says
July 24, 2013 at 6:02 pmDiana, amen my friend. I totally agree. xo
Susu says
July 24, 2013 at 9:45 amWell done! Thank you for the reminder of our words and our tone when we speak to others. It’s terrifying to watch what social media outlets like FB have done to empower people to become so callous and free with opinions without thinking about the face on the other side. I just discovered Hometalk and I agree, I think it’s more my speed!
Robin says
July 24, 2013 at 5:58 pmSusu, it is terrifying. And I love the way you said it…”the face on the other side” xo
kathie says
July 24, 2013 at 10:35 amYou nailed this one perfectly. We all have done it and received it. I’m with you – bring PEACE.
Robin says
July 24, 2013 at 5:55 pmKathie, amen my friend…bring peace xo
Eileen says
July 24, 2013 at 2:02 pmI sometimes shy away from posting pictures on sites because of the unkind comments that some people make. I wonder if they ever think about how hurtful their words are or if they think how they would feel if someone said something hurtful to them!
“We are masters of the unsaid words, but slaves of those we let slip out.”
Winston Churchill
Robin says
July 24, 2013 at 5:55 pmEileen, I love that quote and I do wonder when typing a comment, why you wouldn’t think it through…xo
Casey says
July 24, 2013 at 2:18 pmI must keep myself vigilant when talking with others. It is so easy to let myself get drawn into the fray of making snide comments about a situation or someone’s actions, looks, etc. I always get slapped immediately with such guilt when the words roll off my tongue, but it’s too late to take them back. I want to control my thoughts and speech so those horrible words don’t come out in the first place. I want to be the one to steer conversations to a loving and positive action, never a cutting down of someone. It’s hard work to stay positive but the payoff is so wonderful for everyone!
Robin says
July 24, 2013 at 5:51 pmCasey, it’s such a testament of God’s work in you that you immediately feel sad …and I love that you said you want to be the one to steer conversations towards love-me too sweetie ox
Chris says
July 24, 2013 at 9:53 pmWhat a beautiful commentary. I know exactly the song. We sing it in our church too. I will never figure out why people just don’t think before their words come out of their mouths. Harsh words last forever in someones heart and soul.
God Bless you for being such a wonderful person.
Elizabeth says
July 25, 2013 at 2:12 amSeriously! What a horrid thing to do! I am appalled at some of the hurtful things that happen online…adult cyber bullying actually.
Deanna says
July 25, 2013 at 9:05 pmThe core of who you are shines thruout this post! I love ‘visiting’ you because I always come away feeling uplifted and encouraged! Your love shines thru. I believe God put us here to be an example to others and to be His light. You are shining brightly girl! Those who post discouraging comments have some inner issues. There’s a difference in constructive criticism and hurtful comments. We should all lift up and not tear down. ()Love that song as well. God Bless You. Keep shining!
Robin says
July 27, 2013 at 7:17 amDeanna, you my sweet friend have the gift of encouragement and I’m holding your encouragement close to my heart today…I needed it and I’m deeply thankful for your gift xo
Lisa says
August 18, 2013 at 9:06 pmAmen!!!