Bread For The Journey

I love things fluffy and soft ... and things that are not relegated to straight lines. 

I snapped this photo up country this summer. It was a plant growing in the lot next to my brother's yard. It looked like a dandelion but I have never seen a dandelion seed ball on a tall over 4 foot stem!  I'm not sure what the plant is, maybe Orange Hawkweed?

There is incredible potential in that fluff ball.  At the right time when the wind blows the seed will let go and will be carried far and wide, taking root where ever each seed eventually lands. 

I was thinking how our words are like those seeds.  We hold them in our heads, until the right wind blows and the word-seeds are let go and we have no idea how far and wide they will be carried. 

Sadly, the above flower is considered a weed, and so our words are often the same.  

Blown out of our mouths by an emotional wind, they can be hurtful words, or angry words  

taking root in someone's 'back yard'.   

They may be useless, vain words that have no good purpose

 and add to the clutter in someone's mind. 

  Or they can be provocative words that cause repercussions in the emotional reactions they trigger. 

They may even root deep causing bitterness and unforgiveness

 to be an invasive 'weed' growing in someone's consciousness. 

Weeds need no tending ... they are unstoppable in their distribution and grow readily, 

even in rocky soil. 

But ..  we can also choose to release good word-seeds.  

Words that are gentle and healing. 

Words that encourage and add beauty to someone's heart garden. 

Words that are thought provoking and enriching to someone's mind.

 Words that brings smiles, words that bring the joy of laughter. 

Words that comfort and words that edify or  add meaning to someone's life.  

Words that pacify and mediate, words that bring peace.  

As we hold the 'fluff ball of word-seeds' in our minds  ...  

let us stop

 before we blow the seeds out  of our mouths
 - and consider ... 

 will they be weed-seeds?   or will they be garden-worthy seeds?
will they hurt? or will they heal?

Will they honor the Lord?  or will they be used by the enemy? 

  The words of the wise are like goads,

 and the words of scholars are like well-driven nails, 

given by one Shepherd. 

Ecclesiastes 12:11 

  Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, 

O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer. 

Psalm 19:14

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