Seeing as I am participating in the Hello Mornings study of the Book of Ruth, I thought I would devote a post a week to share from the study. In reading this morning, two small phrases stood out to me….
- “Then Naomi heard in Moab that the Lord had blessed his people in Judah by giving them good crops again.” (Ruth 1:6, NLT).
- “But on the way, Naomi said to her two daughters-in-law, :Go back to your mothers’ homes.” (Ruth 1:8, NLT)
Here we see that both the words we hear and the words we speak have an impact both on ourselves and others. Naomi heard what the Lord was doing in Judah. Those words moved her to respond with action. The words we listen to and absorb into our beings will have an affect on us. They can motivate us to life changing decisions which may be the right or wrong. The people we listen to and the words they speak to us can stay with us for a long time. Lately I have come to realize not everyone should have the privilege of speaking into my life.
I must be wise and guard my heart. I must be wise in those things I permit access to my heart. The words we hear impact our behavior, our thoughts, our decisions. How careful we need to be as to the words we permit to root in our lives.
We also see that Naomi spoke words of love, affirmation and encouragement to her daughters-in-law. Seeing their reactions to her words (they all broke down and wept), I don’t think this is the first time that Naomi spoke in this manner to them. She must have been a mother-in-law whose words drew those two younger women to love her. I want to be a mother-in-law of this sort each and every day. Naomi spoke words which blessed both women.
Naomi had to be a woman who was encouraging and affirming to many. We are told later in that same chapter that upon her arrival in Bethlehem, the entire town was excited by her return (verse 19). Would other people be happy to see us, knowing they could expect a kind and cheerful and uplifting conversation with us? It is truly something to think on today.
The words we hear will impact us.
The words we speak will impact others.
The Bible has a lot to say about our mouths, our lips, our tongues, for our speech betrays us. What is down in the well will come up in the bucket. – Vance Havner
Words will impact us today.
Both words heard and spoken.
I am joining …. Playdates With God and Testimony Tues. and Soli Deo Gloria and Unite and Titus 2 Tues. and Teaching What It Good and Titus 2sday and Tell Me A Story .
Oh so true. That old saying that sticks and stones may break our bones, but words will never hurt us is just an outright lie! Our words have so much power to uplift and encourage or to crush and discourage. We get to choose.
Thanks for linking up to Testimony Tuesday, my friend.
May we grow more discerning in the words we permit to take us residency in our hearts.
Yes, our words are so important and we can’t take them back once they are out there. I have learned that lesson the hard way. I must say I have never regretted holding my tongue. That was a rebuke I received from the book of James. (The tongue is a fire…)
Laura – So very true. Our words can never be taken back. May the Lord give us tongues that are anointed with only the words He would have us to speak.
Good quote by Havner. The older I get the more I hesitate before speaking, making sure my words pass the “Is it true, is it uplifting, is it necessary” test. “May the words of my mouth be acceptable unto You, O God” is my prayer. An excellent and much needed post.
Love the test of words! Thank you for stopping here & sharing with me as well! Blessings!
Glad that you are continuing to write about the Book of Ruth – a true favorite of mine. Your perspective was good to hear because at first glance Naomi gives the impression of someone who is not warm and fuzzy. Looking deeper as you did shows us that Naomi’s words are not meant to harm but there is encouragement and affirmation present. Thank you for teaching us more about Naomi today. Blessings, Mary
I am so enjoying this study of Ruth through Hello Mornings. It has caused me to not only look at the story of Ruth more deeply but from a different perspective. Thank you for your encouragement & kind words. Blessings!
It is a good thing to keep our shield handy when words that will harm us come our way. Naomi heard good words, and gave good encouraging words to her daughter-in-laws. Ruth heard the words, “Go back” but she put up her shield and made a positive statement. I will go with you and your God will be my God and your people will be my people, and it was so. May we make positive statements in the face of the negative. Thank you for sharing with us here at “Tell Me a Story.”
Thank you for sharing your insight Hazel, and reminding us to hold up our shields. Very important truth! Blessings!
I’ve been a Ruth and Naomi fan for years. And to see how the two of them made decisions that were so important, putting their lives at risk immediately. Naomi’s depression a couple of times was a way to break some truth, but she returned to the Lord’s way again. I’m sure that part of the historic and spiritual situations could be heart breaking for any of us. I’m so blessed by the courage Ruth had. I truly want to be a “Ruth”.
Grateful for your insight. I think at different times in my life, I have been “Naomi” and I have been “Ruth”. I am also wanting to be a “Ruth” in the days ahead. Thank you for sharing with me!
Thank you for sharing with us at “Tell Me a Story.” I appreaciate this entry!