One final comment (at least for today) about the power of words and the importance of using them in uplifting, encouraging, and positive ways. Yesterday I was flipping through a book of devotionals entitled Day by Day with Billy Graham, and when I read the one for September 17, I knew I HAD to share it.
Dr. Graham tells a story of a woman in England to came to her vicar with a troubled conscience. A habitual gossip who had maligned nearly everyone in the village, she now wanted to make amends. The vicar advised her to take a bag of goose feathers and drop one on the porch of each person she had slandered. The woman did as told and then came back to the vicar and asked, “Is that all?” “No,” he told her, “You must go now and gather up every feather and bring them all back to me.” Unfortunately, this proved to be an impossible task because the wind had blown all of the feathers away.
“My good woman,” said the vicar, “so it is with gossip. Unkind words are easily dropped, but we can never take them back again.” Good story, huh? By the way, the scripture that Dr. Graham paired with this story is James 3:5 (TLB): “The tongue is a small thing but what enormous damiage it can do…”
mom's musings 
I just thought that I would let you know how cute you are!
Thanks…I think. I’ve actually never been told that before, but it sounds pretty positive. I like your avatar…very cute!
Oh she has already been by…good!
Huh? Do you know this young lady in person, or did you meet her in blogland?
So very true, marlajayne. I hope I have matured as I have matured… Outstanding reminder and I will think “goose feathers”. Thank You and God Bless Your Wonderful Spirit!
I read once that taking the Lord’s name in vain refers to gossip and backbiting just as much as it does to actually using profanity in connection with His name. The reasoning behind the statement was (as well as I can recall) that if we call ourselves Christians and yet we do not follow His teachings, then we are essentially taking His name in vain. Does that make sense? I’s a little late, and my thinking is fuzzy.
Makes perfect sense…just like sometimes people profane the family name, heritage, etc. by not living “up to snuff”, claiming to be a Christian and living as “the world does” profanes His name. Hadn’t thought about that for a while…thanks!
You’re right, it’s late! Good rest and God Bless!
In person…I work with her
well, this is certainly getting more interesting! of course you know what a great example you are to all who know you! You do know that right?
Yes, it is getting more interesing…and fun too! A couple of these ladies are LDS and live in Utah (cowgalutah and sunshine123186); check them out. Odale is so positive, spiritual, and accepting that she makes people feel good just reading her stuff.
And when are you starting your blog?
Ummmmmm!!!! When I can get my thoughts organized?! Right now it just seems like one more thing to do. I devote soooo…much time to my young women’s calling, with lessons, activities, etc.
I did write a letter to The State in re to the “Funky Winkerbean” comic strip. One of the characters is terminally ill and it is a very realistic portrayal of what the people I love are going through right now. It is not something I care to see in the comic section!
My letter was published in Friday’s paper.
I’m going to look this up before I leave the campus today. I read the letters in Friday’s paper (at least I thought I did), but somehow I missed it.