I was having a bad morning. It’s behind me now, but in the heat of the moment, it’s hard to believe that the day can be saved, but it always can! You can change the way the morning is going by redirecting your thoughts. In my house, I do that with Laughter Props. Silly, little goofy things that keep my heart light and bring my attention away from my problems and onto something fun.
The haggard lady in the above picture sits on my kitchen window sill. Along with a plastic platypus, a plastic cardinal with wings that flap when the sun is shining and a tiny Mexican turtle, just to name a few. My studio shelf holds a Furby, a duck that squawks when you grab him by the neck and a photo of my friend & I dressed like Pirates complete with her front tooth blacked out. All things that make me chuckle when I look at them. I hold on to photos from photo booths, little stuffed animals, and Happy Meal toys if they make me smile.
Today when I angrily threw the spoon into the sink and the sign that says, “Laughter is the Best Medicine” fell into the sink with a clunk, I decided I would try just that and I laughed! I hope you find something that makes you laugh and sit it somewhere you can see it often. Maybe it will even be a printout of my favorite lady above!
He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouts of joy. –Job 8:21
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. –Prov. 31:25
Title: Guide your Mind, Guard your Heart, Grace your Tongue
Author: Carol Burton McLeod
Genre: Non-Fiction, Christian Living
Release Date: April 3, 2018
Every single one of us with a beating heart has spoken words “under the influence” of warped feelings and slurred thinking. And we soon wish we had the magical power to take those words back. We especially regret the hurtful words we have spoken to those we love the most and know the best. This book may just be the solution.
Carol McLeod reveals that before the words are spoken, they brew in our hearts and are formed in our minds. It’s our thoughts and emotions that determine what words come out of our mouths. Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue is an innovative blueprint that will enable you to take control of your thoughts and feelings in order to grace your tongue. You won’t find pat answers here, but rather powerful strategies based on the Word of God to reroute disordered thinking and cure rotten emotions so your words can be humbly grateful instead of grumbly hateful.
After reading Carol Burton McLeod’s book on Guiding your Mind, Guarding your Heart and Gracing your Tongue, I realize that I have a lot of work to do! This topic has been on my heart for a long time and Carol does an excellent job of helping me study scriptures that attack this problem. Her light hearted stories and examples create a nice balance between enjoying the book and actually working through the book. I found that I was able to do both. She encourages, relates and teaches, but also delves deeper to formally instruct and convict you to do more to reap the benefits of all that God has created for you to do and be. Recognizing the complexities of the mind that God gave us and the realization that sometimes I put garbage into that mind will make me more aware of my thoughts in the future. Also, the wisdom of remembering that your mind was made to worship – not to worry, should bring much peace into my day.
Carol gives practical tips and suggestion for maintaining an intimate relationship with God and experiencing His peace with thought provoking questions at the end of each chapter. I look forward to doing more than reviewing this book, I look forward to reading it, studying it and reading it again. It would make a great Book Club or Small Group book to discuss. Though I received this copy for free (Note below), I will be purchasing more copies in the future. Great book that I would recommend to anyone!
But the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace. — Romans 8:6
About the Author
Carol Burton McLeod is a popular speaker at women’s conferences and retreats through her ministry, Just Joy!, and is the author of a number of books. Carol hosts a daily radio show, “Defiant Joy! Radio,” which is broadcast in major markets across America. Her blog, “Joy for the Journey” (formerly “A Cup of Tea with Carol”), has been named in the Top 50 Faith Blogs for Women, and her teaching DVD The Rooms of a Woman’s Heart won a Telly Award for excellence in religious programming.
To celebrate the tour, Whitaker House is giving away the following prizes:
Grand Prize: A copy of Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue, “Grace” teapot from Christian Arts Gifts, Whitaker House/Anchor adult coloring book.
1st Place: A copy of Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue, Abba Jerusalem 6” Scented Pillar Candle
2nd Place: A copy of Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue, and Whitaker House/Anchor adult coloring book.
NOTE: I received a complimentary copy of this book through Celebrate Lit. My comments are an independent and honest review. The rest of the copy of this post was provided by Celebrate Lit.
Almost a year ago, my family went through a very difficult time. We were hurt by someone we trusted and though an apology was quickly delivered, the healing took a little longer to arrive. During that time, I sought counsel from a trusted friend. He knew all parties involved and was able to put things into perspective for me. He knew that we loved the offender and he told us to respond in love to all parties. In all things, respond in love was his teaching. He explained that though we were hurt, we taught the person who hurt us a very valuable lesson and that no one will be hurt by him in the same way again. He shared a story about a time when he unintentionally hurt someone by saying something and that though he wasn’t able to rectify the relationship, he learned to never make the same statement again.
A few weeks ago while driving alone in my car, I thought of my counseling friend. I know he hasn’t been feeling well so I prayed for him. As I was praying for him, I thought of how much he had helped me last year and how I should probably text him and let him know how the afflicted relationship from last year had healed and is better than we could’ve ever imagined. I decided to text him to encourage him and thank him again. I pulled over to the side of the road to text him when I really felt the Lord convict me. All of a sudden, I realized I didn’t need to text him to thank him, I needed to text him to apologize. The last time I saw him, I said the exact hurtful statement that he had said when he was sharing his situation and I said it to him. I said it in jest, but still! What was I thinking? Why would I do that?! Oh, there’s a ton of reasons beginning with SIN, but still! So, I prayerfully wrote out an apology text and then thanked him again for his wise counsel last year.
Driving on, I waited for the “ding” of a return text. Nothing. I arrived at my destination and still nothing. The evening passed. Nothing. No response. Not even a “k.” Strange. But then, I decided that in addition to the Lord humbling me and asking me to apologize, maybe He was humbling me again and not giving me the response. Did I apologize to make myself feel better or to make my friend feel better? Does he really need to reply? No, probably not. I struggled with myself and my pride issues, I rethought every word in the text. I placed myself in his shoes. I thought, thought and OVER thought. Enough. I was prayerful before I texted, my intent was pure, I moved on.
It did give me pause though as I continued to wonder if we often apologize to make ourselves feel better. Lots of soul searching involved in that area. One evening as I was having dinner with another friend, I shared with her the story since she is also a mutual friend of all involved. I told her about my new awareness of why we apologize, etc. and how I was still learning from my friend’s response or lack thereof. With a big smile on her face she said, “Oh, I bet you don’t have his new cell phone number!”
Sure enough, I had the wrong number. So my wise friend continued to teach me lessons even without realizing it. He never got the apology. I hope he will read this blog so I can finally end this ongoing lesson. I’m sure there is another matter I can give this much time and thought to!
Oh, and Friend, this is for you:
Hey brother. God has had you heavy on my heart and I’ve been praying for your health and strength. However, He also brought it to my attention that I should apologize to you for the comment I made at the meeting. You told me the story of how you had offended someone. I remembered the lesson and would not do it to someone else, but for some reason, I did it to you and I am sorry. You probably had to talk yourself into attending the meeting that evening and then you were greeted by my comments. Again, my apologies. I value our friendship and think so highly of you. You’ve helped me more times than you know! God bless you and I hope you are feeling better and getting ready for Holy Week.
Let’s hope that “better late than never” works in this case. Also, funny how originally I said he had helped me more than he knows…..isn’t that still the truth? Thanks again and I’m sorry Friend.
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. — Proverbs 17:17
I was having a bad morning. It’s behind me now, but in the heat of the moment, it’s hard to believe that the day can be saved, but it always can! You can change the way the morning is going by redirecting your thoughts. In my house, I do that with Laughter Props. Silly, little goofy things that keep my heart light and bring my attention away from my problems and onto something fun.
Almost a year ago, my family went through a very difficult time. We were hurt by someone we trusted and though an apology was quickly delivered, the healing took a little longer to arrive. During that time, I sought counsel from a trusted friend. He knew all parties involved and was able to put things into perspective for me. He knew that we loved the offender and he told us to respond in love to all parties. In all things, respond in love was his teaching. He explained that though we were hurt, we taught the person who hurt us a very valuable lesson and that no one will be hurt by him in the same way again. He shared a story about a time when he unintentionally hurt someone by saying something and that though he wasn’t able to rectify the relationship, he learned to never make the same statement again.
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