The shadow of your words

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In our kitchen hangs a chalkboard.
We put it up with the intent of writing daily or weekly Scripture verses on it so the kids could get familiar with the Word of God, or to write down the house rules...whichever is needed the most at the time! ;)

As I was erasing the chalkboard today I noticed something: The words didn't completely erase.
The color had wiped off but the words were still noticeable in the right light.



The Scripture I had erased were the following verses:
Everyone will have to give account of the day of judgement for every careless and unkind word they have spoken. For by your words you will be found innocent and by your words you will be found guilty. Matt. 12:36-37
For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. Matt. 12:34b
 
The irony of the shadow of those words wasn't lost on me and it felt like God was showing me the impact of the words we speak.
Once a word leaves our mouths, we can't take it back.
A shadow of it may remain in the hearts of others for days or weeks, even years to come.
This shadow of a word isn't isolated to just a spoken word but words written on social media, emails, voice messages or texts written, snapchats.
 
Your words leave a mark that is hard to erase completely.
I was reminded to guard my words carefully and realize that they come from the overflow of my heart.
We all need to stop and ask ourselves what have we given our hearts and thoughts over to when our words become negative, harsh, destructive.
 
If you've been on the receiving end of loose and sinful tongue (or feel sorrow for the impact of your own words that may have hurt someone), there is hope.
There is redemption and healing offered in God.
He can take those shadows in your heart and cast light on them.
In the light, His Light, those words are rewritten or erased.
In their place our Savior speaks the TRUTH about you, your worth, your glory and His delight in you!
 
 
There is no darkness in the light and Christ has come that we may never live in the shadows of sin (ours or the sins of others against us) again.
Therefore, if your whole body is full of light, and no part of it dark, it will be completely lighted, as when the light of a lamp shines on you. Luke 11:36
 
 

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