“I gave you a land that you had not tilled and cities that you had not built, to dwell in; you have eaten of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.” // Joshua 24:13
I wiped sweat from my forehead, grumbling under my breath as I eyed the chipped paint on our walls, and the worn baseboards. The cracks and imperfections of an old, well-loved house, that on this particular day felt far more irritating than charming. A multitude of complaints burst from my mouth as I walked from room to room, pointing out everything that was wrong with our house.
My words spilled out carelessly, until I came upon an art project that my daughter made from an old piece of foil. She created a colorful rose and placed it beneath the statue of Our Blessed Mother. Sunlight poured through the window, reflecting the vibrant colors throughout the room. I paused as I realized that my complaining had done the exact opposite. My acid tongue brought bitterness instead of beauty.
I was surrounded by the provision of the Lord, worthy of all my praise. In that moment, my heart was filled with repentance and deep gratitude.
Do you find yourself struggling with needless complaining? Do you often overlook the blessings in your life?
Sisters, our words are powerful. With our words, we can bring blessing and honor to the Lord, as well as those around us, but we can also drag people down and forsake our God and Creator. May we praise and glorify the Lord with our words. When we are tempted to speak with bitterness and contempt to those around us, let us instead call upon the Holy Spirit to sanctify our words.
Leana Bowler is a wife and mother of eight little ones. She is a Holy Rosary enthusiast with deep devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Her love for the message of Divine Mercy led her to become a Marian Missionary of Divine Mercy. She enjoys the miracles of family life, strong coffee, and encountering others on this journey to sainthood. She was a contributing author to And Hay Became Holy and Made New: 52 Devotions for Catholic Women.
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