My speech - may it praise you without flaw...

  - Anonymous, Irish (12th centure)

Let your speech always be gracious...

  - Colossians 4.6

For perhaps most of us, today's ministry opportunities will consist of just a few words uttered to a handful of people.

That doesn't seem like much, does it? A casual greeting. A quick response to a question. Business talk. Family talk. Words.

But what if the Word Who became flesh could resume flesh in our words? The words we speak are more than just sounds with dictionary meanings. They carry emotion. They impart attention. They can even be a means of grace.

Words come so easily to us. They're often out and gone before we've even thought about them. Then, when we do think about them, we may not even remember what we said.

God spoke His Word to the world and salvation was achieved. We cannot know what impact of grace might come to another by the words we speak, the way we speak them, the attitude we convey, and even whether or not we're looking at someone or using his or her name.

Words don't have to be impersonal and clinical. They can be warm and uplifting as well as informative. They can reach a person's heart and not just his ears. They can actually transform us.

Here's a prayer which you can easily memorize: "My speech - may it praise you without flaw." Let that prayer be on your mind and in your heart throughout the day, and you may find that your words suddenly begin to have more meaning - not just to you, but to everyone who hears them.

What will your words accomplish this day? If they are thoughtfully and prayerfully employed, they may bring grace to all who hear.

T. M. Moore, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.