I must have been only six years old. I remember standing in the kitchen and one of my parents (being, I imagine, worn down by my constant talking and volume) proclaimed those few words across the room that stuck to the walls of my mind and stalked me for so many years.

"Matthew...you're like a foghorn! Would you just please shut your mouth...your voice is just too loud."

As a father of four I have far more grace now for my own parents and I don't hold them to account for any single comment they may have given me in the heat of a pressured moment. Ironically, I now spend much of my time speaking in front of people with my 'foghorn' voice (perhaps I have just discovered how to use the volume switch).

We all have experienced the power of words in our lives, positively and I am sure at times negatively. 

There is a timeless proverb from our ancient wisdom text that heralds this.

Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
and those who love it will eat its fruits.
Proverbs 12:18

What I find interesting is that its truth is suggesting that; 'death and life' is not actually found in circumstance, yet in what we say about the circumstance. How we 'language' the situation. 

The wisdom writer is trying to help us recognise that real positive or negative reality is actually found, not by what we see about the 'thing', but by what we say about the 'thing'.

This week I have been reflecting on the tone and power of my own words. If my words produce a 'fruit' as a proverb suggests:

What is the health of my harvest?

Does the tone of current communication result in ripe healthy fruit that is helpful for community? Or is it a little rotten and off-putting to others?

This proverb reminds me that how I speak to my children matters. How I speak about others matters. How I speak to and about my current circumstances matters.

Our words matter. 
Let's continue to speak life and hope.

Grace and Peace,
Matt