Watch your words

"There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing." Proverbs 12:18

In 2014, SELF Magazine published a photo of Monika Allen dressed as Wonder Woman and wearing a tutu while running the LA Marathon. The photo was featured in their section called "The BS Meter" which meanly snubbed the outfit choices of women, including Monika and her friend, in races. Their "rash" words, or words proceeding from a lack of careful consideration of the possible consequences of an action, were printed before knowing that Allen was running her first marathon after chemotherapy and had made the tutu herself to give her motivation. She had also started a company called Glam Runners where she sold similar tutus to motivate others battling cancer.

Monika, 38, sadly lost her battle with brain cancer Friday leaving behind a baby girl and a husband-but her story should forever remind us to be careful of the words we speak. Although the magazine apologized for their comments, words can never be taken back. Proverbs 12:18 gives us a vivid description of what words can do…particularly impulsive, reckless words or words spoken in anger when it says, "There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing."

So let us today and every day be ever so cautious to use our words carefully and to think before we speak. Words have meaning my friends and, when spoken too quickly, can be like a blade thrust into the heart of it's listeners. Let us rather pursue "the tongue of the wise", that our words might build up rather than tear down. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for people like Monika who show us that it is possible to persevere with a smile and a great attitude in the midst of sickness and tragedy. Help us to remember her story when we are tempted to say a rash word or to speak ill of someone else. Most of Lord help us to practice kindness, in word and speech, each and every day. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org 

Words - Hawk Nelson

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8aPFiYNIN4