This week, we packed up a 20′ moving truck so that it can get to Florida by this weekend as my husband is preaching there on Sunday. Even though it has been “for real” that we are moving there, the packing of the truck brought a finality that was not there before. Between the lack of sleep and seeing my sister become emotional as she walked in my house yesterday has brought a flood of emotions on me today as well. Change is good — but not always easy.
Lack of sleep has also brought grouchiness on full-strength as well. Some of our children have not had kind speech to their siblings recently, and I probably can work on being kinder as well. On Monday, as we were driving in to school, I read Proverbs 25 out loud to the family as it was April 25. Proverbs 25:11 grabbed my attention. We discussed the verse together as a family, and then I shared it with my Kindergarten class as well.
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. Proverbs 25:11
apples and frame images: depositphotos.com/apopium and depositphotos.com/geargodz
As a family and to my class, we talked very simply about the verse. I shared how our words can be beautiful like picture of golden apples that have a beautiful silver frame. I shared with the children how we should use words that encourage and build up, not tear down. We can glorify God by the way we speak.
The verse was a great reminder to me the past few days on the power of words. Do I encourage my children with my speech? Am I being careful to say the right words at the right time to those around me? Co-workers, the parents of my students, friends, and my own husband need the right words at the right time. I tell my children, “We don’t need to say everything that pops into our head. Be discerning!” Sometimes I need to remember my own advice. We can paint a beautiful picture with our words . . . or a very ugly one.
I decided to look into this verse a little more, and here is what I found:
A word fitly spoken
Or, “a word spoken on its wheels”: that proceeds aright, keeps due order, . . . and fluently delivered to proper persons, and adapted to their circumstances; and “seasonably” spoken, as the Targum and many versions render it: [is like] apples of gold in pictures of silver; either like apples made of gold, and so valuable and precious; or as apples, called golden from their colour, as golden pippins, and golden rennets; or oranges, which are sometimes called golden apples: either of these in silver cases and enclosures, . . . or in a silver cup, . . . or in silver lattices, . . . through which they may be seen, look very pleasant and delightful. The words may design, as some think, silver baskets into which golden apples or oranges being put, and placed on a table, look very beautiful; and to such a word fitly spoken is compared. (emphasis mine)
I always thought this verse was talking comparing our words to a beautiful picture of golden apples, like what I pictured above. And maybe it is. But commentaries like what I shared above and below seem to indicate that maybe it was fruit itself put into a beautiful silver basket as a table decoration.
A word of counsel, or reproof, rightly spoken, is especially beautiful, as fine fruit becomes still more beautiful in silver baskets. Matthew Henry
apple image: depositphotos.com/azgek1978
Either way, we get the point: let’s have words that are beautiful to those around us. Because of our speech, we make the room that we are in pleasant. People want to be around us because we have encouraging, positive speech that is said at the right time in the right manner. Just keeping these pictures in my mind reminds me of how I want my speech to paint a beautiful picture that delights those who are in presence.
One more thing totally off topic:
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Some interesting posts from last week:
- I may try this method of Bible study that Journey of the Word shared.
- I need to clean my house to get it on the market, and I am low on time. I had to go read 5 Time Management Tips for Super Focused Cleaning from Books, Faith, Life.
- It’s almost time for summer vacation! Here’s 5 Ways to Save Money on Vacation from The Sunny Patch.
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Moving is so hard on families. My son was super stressed out by our move in January, and it was within the same state. I’m sure it’s much harder on you, moving with older kids. Try to give yourself the grace to rest in this. <3
I pinned the beautiful image to your commentary, because it's something I need to work on as well.
Moving across town is hard enough, a big one has to be that much more stressful. I hope it all calms down for you soon!