Sugary Sweet
Photo Credit
My neighbor bakes cookies at Christmas. The sweet treats are like sunshine on my kitchen counter. It’s hard to be sad when you come home to sugary goodness.
Carolyn’s kindness is intentional. She sets aside time to shop. She follows a prescribed recipe. She packages everything in pretty parcels.
When you take time to give a sweet gift, you show someone that you value them.
I must admit that haven’t baked cookies from scratch in over two decades. It sounds like a great idea, but I am always running ragged and overwhelmed, so I just buy a pre-made cake at the grocery store to be done with it.
Earlier this week, I came across Ephesians 4:29 in The Message:
Say only what helps, each word a gift.
I realized that my words are supposed to be sugary sweet morsels wrapped up with love and purposeful intention.
I want my words to show my loved ones that they are valued. I want my words to welcome them in and brighten their day.
May my conversation be a delightful treat.
Something to think about…
Thanks for hosting this, Lyli! I’ve enjoyed checking out your posts these last few days and I’m excited to keep following along with your blog. Can’t wait to read some of these posts!
This has always been one of my favorite verses. I wish I could say that my words were always sweet…but I find myself often asking myself…will these words I am about to utter edify or minister grace to the hearer? Or, even worse for me, DID these words I just uttered minister grace? Were they a gift?
I think I love your neighbor!
;-}
Each word a gift.
What a great way to say it, and we need grace to do it!
Thanks for your friendly hospitality today — no baking required!
“Say only what helps, each word a gift.” Love it. Somehow, Lyli, I cannot imagine your words being anything other. You have always blessed me. XO
Word gifts to lift up – your visual is delightful, making your message go down, I imagine, like those cookies! It does take being intentional – in what not to say – and choosing what to say – hopefully, homemade straight from the heart! The foodie in me wants a plate of cookies now! Shalom, Lyli!
~Maryleigh
Blessings, Lyli! Been missing in too much action the past two months, but am finally posting this week and visiting again. Too much to balance of late since my book came out. Presently working on the study guide to the book which involves a devotional segment. Praying for the work to be His and for better balance in my writing life. I love blogging–but this book publishing thingy is all consuming! In regards to baking cookies–I do it all from scratch since we’re gluten free. Much healthier eating and I love to experiment. They don’t look like the white flour and refined sugar goodies–but our taste buds enjoy this new kind of sweet. Hmmmm . . . need to think on that–reading a spiritual principle there.
Joy!
Kathy
Words are powerful, and as women, what we say holds so much more power (to hurt, to uplift, to glorify) than we realize sometimes. Agreeing with you in prayer, Lyli, that the words of our mouth and meditations of our hears will bring honor and glory to Him! Have a blessed day!
Lyli…I loved your reminder that our words should be delightful treat to the one we speak them to. Thank you for that and for the link up. Blessings.
Each word is a gift. It truly is when the right ones are spoken. I can almost smell the cookies. Thanks you for the word and also an opportunity to share. Many blessings and have a wonderful weekend!
Our words are cookies and cakes. You’re making me hungry, Lyli. Unfortunately I do still make homemade cookies because I like to eat them every day. 🙂 I make a batch and freeze them, then get a couple out each day to have with my quiet time. May I be as intentional with my words!
I love the lessons you share here, Lyli. Such a sweet spirit of grace and generosity. I love those who are like your neighbor who live out goodness with their words, I want to be like that too….living as an encourager even when the words are hard they can still be a blessing.
Thanks so much!
Love
Dawn
I’ve been thinking a lot about what I say and how I say things to those close to me. Being intentional and watching your tone is so important. Thanks for the reminder.
Wow…these words are precious sweet morsels for me to chew on!
“Each word is a gift.” This is so simple and so profound, Lyli. We speak without thinking more often than we know and God can use us if we would just be still and wait for His perfect words to come flowing out to give to another. I am going to be pondering this a while.
loving you, ~ l
What a great metaphor!! I love the imagery that our words are to be sweet and presented beautifully and intentionally. I love love love this.
Thanks!!
May my conversation be a delightful treat. AMEN! Thank you Lyli. That is so beautifully said.
May I invite you to “join the dance” at the DanceWithJesus Linkup? http://www.susanbmead.com/just-like-eve-linkup/ is today’s direct link
Each week the permalink is SusanBMead.com/blog-2
Your words would bless others there too.
Susan
Eph. 4.29 is one of my favorite verses. I’d love to say that I always do what it says, but the tongue gets the better of me at times.
Thanks for sharing and for another great linkup!