When I was young I was known for having a big mouth. It got me into trouble. Speaking out of turn, making inappropriate or untimely comments, jumping into conversations that were not mine to have was normal for me. I only knew it was wrong by others reactions. You know when I got “the look” from my mom or another adult or when someone would simply say “I wasn’t talking to you”. Embarrassed I would walk away. You see as a kid and even as a teenager I could never explain the NEED to say something. It was impulsive, it wasn’t necessary but if it was in my head I would spit it out. It wasn’t until I stumbled upon this verse “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” that I realized that words have way more importance and weight than what I had thought. I thought to myself wait, the words that come out of my mouth were in my heart first? Does that mean that even the mean things, not so appropriate nice things that I let spill out of my mouth were in my heart first?” The answer? YES. I felt a big deep hurt as I let the reel of my kid and teenage life play in front of me.

A hurting heart can turn bitter and spit out poison from its mouth. An angry heart will spill out angry outbursts from its mouth. A disbelieving heart will spill out negative unbelief from its mouth. After going through my “Lifetime dramatic movie moment” I paused and thought; if bad things produce bad words then that means that good things can produce good words. Knowing this and holding it true put me in direct control and direct responsibility for what I let spill out of my mouth. I could no longer blame someone else for my lack of self-control or refraining my tongue.

Now before I speak I look into my heart and ask myself what are the words in your heart? What is in there that needs to be healed? What is in there that needs to be looked at, corrected or brought back to God so that you can speak words of life and not death to others and yourself?  Oh it’s not easy, its like having hooptie brakes in a fast racing car.  It takes time, and work but it is possible.  When I do let something slip I work quick on fixing it.  Today this little girl who used to get looked at and pushed to the side for her words now receives phone calls, texts, emails requesting to hear her speak {something I do not boast about but rather am humbled at how things turned out}.  I myself did not change, my natural ability and desires to want to speak did not change. But my words, they changed and that is because the words of my heart changed. I am grateful to God for teaching me through others and His word that a Heart of love and life speaks love and life to others. That a heart that knows what it is to be healed, can speak healing words to others.
May the abundance of our Hearts speak of God’s love & mercy.

Merita’s Heart

Proverbs 4:23 “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

Ps. If your  heart is hurting and you have been tied up by the words that you spoke take a moment to pray this with me “Lord forgive me for using my words at times to hurt instead of heal, to kill instead of give life.  Look into my heart, heal it, give me new love, new forgiveness, new words that what I speak may bring love and life to all who hear it including myself, Amen”.