Cross Words – How About a Game of Scrabble?

I’ll admit, this blog today came from seeing this “Cross-Words” graphic as I scrolled through images. That graphic spoke volumes to me so I added the Scrabble words to a cross. I saw those words and immediately I started thinking about a little game-play I’ve been indulging in during this time of isolation. I don’t typically take the time for such idle play, but when I saw an advertisement for a Scrabble play app, I conceded!

The Scrabble board game was one my husband and I often played together. I remember us making up a word to fit. The opposing player, if they didn’t believe it was an actual word, would grab Webster's dictionary and reveal if it was a real word or not! Now, it’s easy to play online because it tells you right away if your word is actually a real one or not. Cha-ching! Oh, the joys of technology!

Speaking of “for real” words that matter are the words of Christ – you know, those red-letter ones in the Bible. He always packed-a-punch with anything He said. But none were more impactful than his last words spoken from the cross. You may have been with someone in their last hours of life and you have never forgotten those last words.

For every one of us, there will come a last meal, a last breath, and, perhaps, a last statement. In many ways, what we say in the end can be an insight into what we were in life, what we stood for, lived for. I’ve heard of many people who lived a life without Christ and their last words were of bitterness, hatred and despair. Their words were “cross” words – that represented a life of rejection, anger and hopelessness. But, oh what a difference for those Who know our risen Lord and Savior. They are at peace and you sense it in their calmness and in their words.
Jesus uttered seven impactful phrases from the cross, but I’m most struck with these words: “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do” (Luke 23:34). Those were the words of forgiveness for those who mistreated Him, lied about Him, rejected Him and were crucifying Him. Oh, Lord, may I daily offer prayers of grace and mercy as I forgive those who don’t know what they’re doing to me, and to others.

Jesus’ example of forgiving in the greatest, most profound way is a clarion call to us. If He could forgive, so can we. Since He was God in the form of man, He could have condemned His torturers or destroyed them with His breath. But, He didn’t. His words of forgiveness should be indelibly imprinted on our hearts! Those CROSS WORDS I choose to make my words. How about you?

“Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:31-32)

The Last Bite. The Last Word.

My husband was a food-of-any-kind connoisseur. He actually treated his meals like an art form. Once he’d try every different food item on his plate, he’d determine which was his favorite. He’d ensure his favorite bite was his last bite on his plate so he could savor that taste as long as possible afterward. I can still see him smacking his lips after that bite.

While I was thinking about the last bite, I started thinking about our last words. Don't we want them to be those tasty morsels of delectable and sweet words of love so that we’ll never have regrets about the words we said? My sweet Bryson wants to sleep with me when I’m in town. I left Austin for home early this morning while he was still sleeping. I take with me the treasure of the last words he spoke to me before he fell asleep. ”I love you so much, Princess.” And, my last words to him were "I love you so much, my Prince!"

I’m so glad the last words I spoke to my Sweetheart before his graduation to heaven were “Push, Baby, push. I’ll be okay, so go ahead and go home. I love you forever and I’ll see you soon.”

I've learned my lessons well. I’m so glad God has forgiven me for the times my words weren’t so sweet and how, now, He continually reminds me that my last words with a friend or loved one should be LIFE, not death; PEACE, not fear; LOVE, not hate; JOY, not sorrow. We have the opportunity, every day, to leave those sweet words for those around us to savor. Proverbs 16:24 says "Kind words are honey from a honeycomb -- sweet to the soul and healing for the body."

Whether our days run smooth as glass or are rocky and bumpy, may our hearts and our mouths produce "soft and sweet” words.....so that if we have to eat them, we'll be eating yummy, delectable treats. What was your last bite today? What were the last words you spoke to someone? What are they savoring?

"Kind words are like honey -- sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." Proverbs 16:24

What If This Were Our Last Day or Year?

I have the fondest memories of the last Christmas we had with my husband. Our entire family was snowed in at our home in Tulsa and it made for some of the sweetest times – laughter, frolicking in the snow, and tender times of intimacy in sharing God’s love with each other. Little did we know it would be his last year to celebrate Christmas with us.

Now, I think a lot about “last time” possibilities. I want to be sure my “house” is in order. I’ll admit that I’ll often leave on a trip and I think “Oh, I need to clean those drawers and closets out! I don’t want my family to have to deal with them if I don’t make it back home!” I’ve already got on my “to do” list, sooner than later, to get my will, important documents, bank, investments and other info up-to-date because I want my children to find everything they’ll need if I should “go home” any time soon. On one hand, it sounds silly because I’ve still got a lot of “tread on these tires”, but on the other hand, today could be my last day on this earth. 💥Breaking News Flash💥 It could also be the same for you!

Whew! We've made it through another year. And, while I reminisce with gratitude about my accomplishments and successes, I wonder what could I have done better? What did I do that made a difference in this world this year? Who could I have influenced in a positive way? I’m already thinking with an eternal perspective in mind when it comes to 2019. I’m thinking about how I can influence others. I wonder if, when I see others in my life, it turned out to be the last encounter I might have with them. What is the lasting impression I would want to leave? How would I want him or her to remember me?

Several scenarios come to mind. If I walked out the door of my children's homes and didn't return, what would I want my family to remember as my last words and gestures? If I ran into someone at work or school or church and then never saw that person again, what kind of memory would I want them to retain? In each last encounter, what would I want to be sure to say to my family and friends or even someone I might meet on the street?

None of us knows how much time is allotted to us. These questions have continued to roll around in my spirit. They are a constant reminder that we have to make the most of each moment God gives us to fulfill the two commandments Jesus said were most important: "loving God and loving people". Nothing else matters. In fact, Paul says it makes no difference what we give; if we don't have love, "it profits us nothing" (1 Corinthians 13:3).

If our motives aren’t loving, may we pray for a change of heart. If they are loving, may we take time to tell the person so. Being sure our “last words” with someone are words of healing and true love. That is bound to mean more to him or her than what's inside any gift we might give them. And it's the only thing either one of us can take with us into eternity.

Savoring the Last Bite

My husband viewed his eating as a form of art. Family members will tell you hilarious stories of how he’d use dining times to teach us the ways to enjoy our meals more. He’d show our grandchildren the proper way to hold the knife in one hand and the fork in the other, and how to shovel the food into the fork with the knife. He’d show us the finest way to eat cereal -- putting the milk in the bowl before we put the cereal in. He’d make us try his favorite Mexican food dessert -- sugar on tortilla chips. He’d encourage us to separate our food on our plate so we could savor each distinct flavor. AND, he’d always save one bite of his favorite food item to be his last bite.

I thought about him yesterday morning and all his mealtime quirks, and it brought a big smile to my face – especially when I had saved my final breakfast bite to be the English muffin with apricot preserves on it. Indeed, that was my favorite bite and I wanted to savor it a little while longer. He'd be proud of me!

God amuses me, because the next thoughts I had was how I would use these thoughts in my post for today. Sweet memories plus sweet last bites, equals a post for today. LOL! Psalm 119:103 says “How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!”

What about the last bite – rather, the last words we spoke in conversation with a friend or loved one? What do we want them to savor – the loving, kind and gratitude-filled words we left them with, or bitter, angry, complaining words? Were they words of sweetness or were they distasteful words? Proverbs 18:20-21 says “A man’s belly shall be satisfied with the fruit of his mouth; and with the increase of his lips shall he be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

The fruit of our mouths – death or life. That’s pretty heavy thinking, but in reality, like my husband was endeavoring to teach us the best ways to enjoy our food, God is teaching us the best ways to live our lives that brings others joy and comfort.

I’m so glad the last words I spoke to my Sweetheart before his graduation to heaven were “Push, Baby, push. I’ll be okay, so go ahead and go home. I love you forever and I’ll see you soon.” I’m so glad God forgave me for the times my words weren’t so sweet and how, now, He continually reminds me that my last words with a friend or loved one should be LIFE, not death; PEACE, not fear; LOVE, not hate; JOY, not sorrow. We have the opportunity, every day, to leave those sweet words for those around us to savor. Proverbs 16:24 says "Pleasant words are honey from a honeycomb— sweet to the soul and healing for the body." .

Whether our days run smooth as glass or are rocky and bumpy, may God’s messages of truth have such an impact on us that our hearts and our mouths produce "soft and sweet words.....so that if we have to eat them, we'll be eating yummy, delectable treats. What was your last bite today? What were the last words you spoke to someone? What are they savoring?