On July 24th, 2005 my Grandma wrote me a letter that I have tucked safely in my Bible. There is no letter that I have read more thoroughly; I have portions of it memorized and often pull it out when I need to be reminded of truth.
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…” Proverbs 18:21
The combination of truth and timing is everything.
Life giving. Inspirational. Transformative. Empowering.
I received her letter within the first few weeks of our new adventure. David, our 18 month old son Elijah, and I had just moved to England to be missionaries. This letter contained words of wisdom from the lifetime she and my Grandpa spent on the mission field. She shared a verse God gave her for me, what she saw in me, and the mistakes she had made while raising her children in full time ministry. Her desire was to encourage and equip me so that I could feel confident in my calling and avoid making the same mistakes.
“The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.” Proverbs 13:14
In that letter my Grandma was offering me life – pointing me to scripture, speaking truth over me, and sharing wisdom. I believe when someone speaks truth over you it powerfully resounds in the innermost part of your soul. The Holy Spirit affirms and confirms that truth within you.
Truth has the ability to combat lies, to heal wounds and to bring dead places of your soul back to life.
What powerful instruments we can be, in the hands of an Almighty God, when we resolve to be available and useful to the kingdom. When we purpose to walk into every room, every conversation, every interaction… and simply aim to be a tool that imparts and inspires the life and love of Jesus – that is when miracles happen in us and through us. That is when we see God’s Kingdom here on earth today – when we are used by the Creator of the Universe to impart and inspire life. That is the essence of who He is flowing from us here on earth. What a gift we have to share!
What my Grandma did not know when she penned that letter to me, is her words would stick with me for years. The scripture she gave me would not just become a rock for a season, but shelter for a decade. The truth she spoke over me – would take root in my heart and keep me grounded through storms of doubt and fiery trials. God has a beautiful way of reminding of us who we are when the world comes crashing down on us – and He has used my Grandma’s words over and over again to bring life when the enemy meant to steal it from me. Her words of wisdom guided me as I parented my children through many different seasons of full time ministry – that has not just brought life to me, but to our entire family.
Every time I open my Bible and see her letter it inspires me to do the same – to make imparting life a way of life; in my home, in my church, with my friends, in the grocery store, and to strangers I pass on the street … If you think a loving, kind word – say it! Speak life into this dark world.
Life Goal: To be an instrument in the hands of an Almighty God, ready and available to bring life.
We all carry power and responsibility – the choice to impart life moment by moment, every day while we walk this earth together.
“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life” Proverbs 10:11a
Will you join me this week in being a fountain of life? Together we may not be able to change the whole world – but each of us can change someone’s world by speaking truth and life over them today. That is a powerful and beautiful thing.
May I speak this truth over you today?
Sister! “His divine power has given you everything you need for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us to his own glory and excellence” 1 Peter 1:3. We have ALL we need through the power of God to walk out life today with godliness, freely invited to bask in his glory and goodness. Let’s be women who stand firmly in that truth, when we know who we are and what we have been given we can inspire others to stand confidently in it too. We are all in this together! Let’s be women who impart life – through our words and actions with the power of Jesus.
Homework for this week:
- Take time to thoughtfully pen a life giving letter. A letter that speaks truth to the heart of the recipient.
- Send an empowering text to a friend telling them something brave and beautiful that you see in them.
- God has given you influence in someone’s life – whether it be your children, your co-worker, a mentee or a friend. Set aside some face to face time with them to share what you see God doing in their life, call out the fruit you see growing, and honor it (applaud it, cheer them on, be their biggest fan)!
May you grow, be filled, and be blessed beyond measure as you speak life!
Love, Rachel
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