Daily Readings: Psalm 21; Genesis 15:1-18; Matthew 12:33-37

If you grow a healthy tree, you’ll pick healthy fruit. If you grow a diseased tree, you’ll pick a worm-eaten fruit. The fruit tells you about the tree.

You have minds like a snake pit! How do you suppose what you say is worth anything when you are so foul-minded? It’s your heart, not the dictionary, that gives meaning to your words. A good person produces good deeds and words season after season. An evil person is a blight on the orchard. Let me tell you something: Every one of these careless words is going to come back to haunt you. There will be a time of Reckoning. Words are powerful; take them seriously. Words can be your salvation. Words can also be your damnation. Matthew 12:33-37, The Message

We are all beautiful creatures of God and the Spirit, just like trees bearing beautiful fruit, gifts from God. Like trees we require care and guidance to be able to grow and flourish.

There is that phrase often shared and taught by our parents, grandparents, guardians and teachers : Think before you speak. These 4 simple words hold true each and every day, not to be forgotten, but to keep in our hearts and minds always, gently, whenever and wherever we are.

Words can be hurtful if not thought about carefully, leaving a terrible taste like rotten fruit; still, our words can leave a lingering feeling of joy and happiness when spoken with love and caring, like beautiful healthy peaches on their well-cared for trees.

As a classroom substitute, I am especially mindful when helping the 7 young students in their small classroom, with the words I choose when speaking to them, asking how and if I can assist them with their work. Each special needs student is different and needs to be spoken to in an individual way, with a calm and patient tone. There is no place for anger or intolerance, only total understanding of their needs. The students’ classroom teacher has an amazing ability and gift to speak to and teach each of her students in this way; she is an amazing role model for others. She has been a great role model for me as well.

Jesus, when we read his parables through the gospels, continues to be our role model for thoughts, words and actions. With our spoken words chosen with thoughtfulness and kindness, we can all be like healthy trees, bearing vibrant fruit.

Offered by Robin Nielsen, in whom God delights.