Happy Monday. Remember to keep your words sweet; you might have to eat them.
Probably you, as I, thought about mom yesterday. A memory that comes to my mind was of looking through my mother’s well-worn Bible shortly after her death.
I found a handwritten verse stuck in the pages. It said, “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, keep the door of my lips” Psalms 141:3.
I pondered that finding. Did she feel she needed a special reminder in this area of her life? I don’t know.
However, through the ensuing years I have thought of that verse and even prayed those words many times.
Words are wonderful. My husband used to say he loved words, thus he painted good word pictures in poetry, sermons, etc.
Words have the power to make a gray day suddenly beautiful, to make a discouraged one take heart, to bring comfort where there was sadness.
Then why do we not use every opportunity to speak them? They’re free.
Words reveal what we are. “Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matthew 12:34
What is in the bucket of the mouth comes from the well of the heart.
God’s Word says so much about words, the tongue, and in no uncertain words says if one thinks he is religious and does not bridle his tongue, his religious is vain (James 1:26).
In this day of “information overload,” it’s time we come into agreement with God, who says in Matthew 12 that good things come from a good heart and evil things from an evil heart. Can we argue that? Or disregard it?
In Jesus’ own words, He said that we would give an account of every idle word.
One of the saddest ways we can use our words is to harm another. The following is an article I cut out of the Wall Street Journal years ago:
Nobody’s Friend
“My name is Gossip. I have no respect for justice.
I maim without killing. I break hearts and ruin lives.
I am cunning and malicious and gather strength with age.
The more I am quoted, the more I am believed.
My victims are helpless. They cannot protect themselves
against me because I have no name or face.
To track me down is impossible.
The harder you try, the more elusive I become.
I am nobody’s friend.
Once I tarnish a reputation, it is never the same.
I topple governments and wreck marriages.
I ruin careers and cause sleepless nights,
heartache and indigestion.
I make innocent people cry in their pillows.
Even my name hisses. I am called Gossip.
I make headlines and headaches.”
Before you repeat a story, ask yourself these questions: Is it true? Is it fair? Is it necessary? If not, don’t repeat it!
“If you think that praise is due him
Now’s the time to slip it to him;
For he cannot read his tombstone
When he’s dead.”
–Berton Braley
Monday with Beverly 
Mrs. Hyles, your words have been such an encouragement to so many, including me. It’s hard for me to ever picture you being unkind to anyone. I love you.
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What a blessing your words have been to me through the years! You taught me so many things about words by what you said to me. Thank you. Kelly Johnson
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A great thought to ponder this week. I love you! – Helen
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Wow! Thanks again! Wonderful reminder of Kindness! I Love You!
Melissa Ellis Gonzalez
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Thank you again Mrs. Hyles for your caring and Sharing!!!!! love you too!!!! Prov. 27:9!!!!!
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Thank you for this Monday’s thoughts. Praying for you and your family. Mrs. Jeannie Douglass
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I definitely needed that today! Thank you; you are a true example of gracious and kind words. God bless you!
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I’ve enjoyed getting to hear from you each week through your blog. You are right – Bro. Hyles was TRULY a master painter of words. Thank you for taking time each week to be a blessing to me through your inspiring and encouraging words. You are a dear friend and I love you!
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Thanks for this great reminder. I LOVE seeing your post in my box every Monday. What a treat it is!
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I love your blog because it is always encouraging …its like sitting with a good friend on the front porch with a ice cold glass of iced tea and enjoying time together….lv nancy
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Looking forward to this post helps make my Mondays bright. I am so thankful to know there will be positive reading in my inbox on Monday.Thank you for your encouraging reminders.
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Thanks, Mrs Beverley for all your words. Read this verse today, “Heaviness in the heart of man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” May I learn to freely give Good Words.
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I look forward to Monday mornings and the words that help start my week off in a positive direction. Thank you for letting the Lord use your gracious spirit to be such an encouragement to so many! I can hear your charming southern drawl as I read each word! Happy week to you!!
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My mom always said to me “Think before you speak” and “If you can’t be nice then be silent”.After all these years I believe these words are still true.Thank you for your words of encouragement.
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Another great article. Thank you again for taking the time to write these and bless us with these words.
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As always, Mrs. Hyles, thank you for your words of wisdom! Gossip is like shaking a feather pillow out the car window as you ride down the road and then trying to gather them back. Its impossible to gather all your words back once you speak them!!!!
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