The Modest Mouth

{this one's for you Bella!}

"Out of the fullness (the overflow, the abundance) of the heart the mouth speaks." Matthew 12:34

"The upright (honourable) [wo]man out of the good treasure (stored) in [her] heart produces what is upright (honourable and good)." Luke 6:45

A sweet friend recently asked me for advice about maintaining pure speech when in a school, particularly if you are surrounded for many hours by people who don't hold the same standards for their language as you do. 

I have to tell you straight up, it. is. hard. 

There are three things, though, that we can use to maintain who we are in Christ and our relationship with Him, when the world is crowding in on our hearts. 

If you truly love Jesus, set time apart for Him within your day. If you love Jesus enough that you don't want to talk like the rest of the world, make sure your time reflects this priority. 

I have a friend who leads our children's ministry program. We pray together as a team many times a week, and I had to laugh at myself when, after a few months, I found myself starting prayers the same way as this leader! "Dear Jesus, I ask out of your amazing love for..."

In the same way, my words reflect Jesus as I listen to Him, converse with Him, and read His book. Star Wars fans speak Star Wars language (and I don't). I speak Jesus-talk because of the time I spend soaking in His words. 

I don't swear. It's that simple. There are words that I just do not say, and I know what they are, and I am vigilant not to say them. I don't have to tell others I have a language hit-list, but I make a very conscious decision not to repeat those words when I hear them, or when they pop up in my mind. 

Slowly, people recognise their is something different in the way I choose to communicate. I can offer my opinion, have an argument, or exclaim in amazement without using a curse word. (and that's a pretty big deal to the world!)

I don't use God's name in vain. And as a side note, I personally also avoid substitute curse words. Flippin', for example. Some people use this to replace other words starting with f, but I figure, it's not necessary! You can tell me you are disgusted about something, or that you are annoyed with someone, without swearing or pretending to swear. Often, hearts are in the same place. (and this is one I have and still sometimes personally struggle through)

If you can't say anything nice, 

you'd better just not say anything! 

Put a knot on your lip 

before it has a chance to slip. 

Best keep away until 

you find something nice to say. 

It's better to never say a single word, 

than to say things that shouldn't be heard! 

(sing it with me!)

I have this little ditty from when I was small stuck in my head, and I'm glad. Sometimes, if you don't think you can say things you mean, or you are in a place where you are so tempted to swear or discuss things that compromise who you are, just leave. 

I've done it, and it's hard. But oh-so worth it in the end. 

Slowing down the meter on your mouth also keeps you reflecting on what is overflowing from your heart, as the verses above describe. What is the first thing popping into your mind in a heated moment, or even a normal conversation? Likely the very cream off the top of your heart. If you find this isn't what you want it to be, go back to number one - spend more time with Jesus. Sit in His presence until your words reflect your relationship. 

The testimony that comes from your faithfulness will be worth it... oh, so worth it. What a witness to the world is a woman who watches her words! 

Anything specific I can pray for you girls? 

What aspect of language and conversation do you find tricky? 

Letting God Hold My Life: a new blog tagline

If you're observant, and reading this from the lovely home of my blog (click here if not!) - you may have noticed a subtle change to my header. 

It's those few little words underneath. {well, and a font change!}

Wanna see the picture? 

letting God hold my life. 

I've been trying to figure out for a little while why I blog and what the whole point of this thing is. 

I don't want it to be a verbal vomit of all the random thoughts inside my head, but in some ways, it has to be. 

I want this blog to be an outpouring of what's inside my heart, which is naturally where my mind dwells. But with every topic that comes up, and all the things we talk about girls, I most of all want to live a life that is fully held by God... that my hands and heart aren't constantly squeezing tight on things of this world, things that are valuable to me, but that I live and write with heart and hands open to the Lord, ready for His direction, waiting on His timing. 

And I want to encourage you to do the same. 

In the words of the beautiful Corrie ten Boom: 

Hold everything in your hands lightly, otherwise it hurts when God pries your fingers open. 

Holding Him tightly, and everything else lightly, 

Rachael  

High Five/Fabulous/Five Minute Friday

linking up... 

fabulous 

(finding joy in the little things)

there are carnations on my desk

there is a whole bag of clothes to go to someone else

there's a birthday present wrapped and ready

high five

I am a week closer to finishing my degree

My room is slightly more tidy

I bought new trackie pants and I love them! 

Ditto for my new sneakers

I have a new TV show to watch online that is Australian and funny

five minutes on... {friend}

I'm thinking of you, friend. You had a birthday last week and you're 20 now and I haven't even written you a birthday card yet, even thought you've got your gift and I've told you what I'm going to write. 

And you, another friend. Oh girl you are crazy. Good thing I love you. Sometimes your life is a mess and I don't know what on earth I can do to help you. Only God knows what you need, really. But you're a treasure and I'm thankful for how you listen. 

And then there's my wise friend. Sometimes I think it would be great if you could just shadow me and always give me your Bible-wise words for every situation. Instead, I'm just going to soak in the little times I get to talk to you and not talk - listen - and glean, because you. You have to write a book. 

I'm not a very good friend. I ramble, much like I write, and before I know it I've wasted a terrible amount of your time and I'm sorry. I need to be the friend who listens, give generously and who doesn't give up. 

I'm not there yet. 

Good thing God gave us Jesus for the perfect friend. 

Remembrance

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

      Between the crosses, row on row,

   That mark our place; and in the sky

   The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

   Loved and were loved, and now we lie

         In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

   The torch; be yours to hold it high.

   If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

         In Flanders fields.

we will remember them... 

ANZAC Day 2013

Look deep into my eyes...

Erin at Living in Yellow is absolutely lovely and hilarious. And cute. And generous. 

Today, she's giving away questions, and so I'm answering them! 

Take a deep look into my eyes... seeing as they are the window to the soul. 

I'm might even go find a mirror and take a glance myself. 

Allow me to have a brief interview with myself. You're welcome to read along. Heck, maybe you'll ask yourself the same questions as you read and think about how you would answer them. We can have one giant "get to know yourself better" sesh if you will.  

1. If you could do one thing differently in your life, what would it be?

There's nothing big that stands out... it's all the little, daily things that I wish I did differently. I didn't need to be impatient with a younger sibling. I didn't need to complain about that. It's okay that I felt cold and hungry for a bit. I wish I didn't do things just for myself. I wish I didn't tell people not to buy me chocolate, because I'm not eating sugar (yeah, awkward.) 

In other words, I just wish I was perfect. 

2. Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Brilliant. I hate this one. 

I only have a 3 year vision for my life. Finish my degree (November 2013), teach in a local school (2014-2016), and move overseas. 

I would *love* a husband to interrupt those plans (please God?) and I would appreciate the moving happening sooner, but we'll see. 

So, 5 years time... I don't know. But I'd like to be married, with a perpetual grin on my face. 

3. Do you honestly want kids?

Yes. 

Silly question, if you know me. 

I'd like more than 1 please, because growing up as the eldest of (now) 10 children, life would be boring with no siblings. I want to grow kids with big vision and big hearts, that change the world. 

4. What has been the best moment of your life so far?

Oh, this is another hard question! It could be when I was born (haha, no - that was the best moment of everyone else's life! Lol.) 

Might be when I went to Fiji? When I swam under a waterfall? When I graduated high-school? When I bought my car and had it payed off in 8 months? Every single time I'm praying with my leadership team and God is just there? I'm thinking seeing my brother being born and getting to cut the umbilical cord is going to be the winner though! 

5. What is your life theme song?

Oh, there's a list! I go through seasons of a different song or two on repeat, but right now, it's this one... 

{thank you Sanctus Real for being amazing and writing a whole album, in fact, that describes my life, emotional ups and downs, and heart.}

6. What is one thing you have yet to accomplish that you want to do before you die?

I want to get to a place where I bawl my eyes out because of great compassion for people who are hurting, lost and broken. 

AND I also want to get off my backside and do something about it. 

7. If you could choose one thing to be known for, what would it be?

Jesus. 

Jesus Jesus Jesus. 

I want Him to be famous so much more than me, so I want people to say, "Hey, you know Rachael? She loves Jesus, talks Jesus, walks Jesus."

8. If you could do anything you wanted right in this very moment (no consequences, no fear, etc), what would it be?

I would jump on a plane, fly halfway around the world, and visit a place my heart longs to visit. I don't want to stay forever, but I just want to go there and get it out of my system, and maybe find myself a husband with a sweet, Southern accent. ;) 

9. What has been the most challenging moment in your life?

I'm really not sure how to answer this one. There are challenging moments when I have to do something that I don't to do, or think that I can't do. There are the challenges like letting go of dreams. Being patient is a challenge. Moving from holding people you love in your hands to just treasuring them in your heart is a challenge. 

I'm going to say, the biggest challenge I'm facing is trusting God. Trusting Him to be faithful and fulfil, even though I'm empty and not. 

10. Summarize yourself in one word.

The first word that sprang to mind was 'not'. As in, I'm not pretty/smart/enough/perfect/doing what I should/faithful/in a relationship/finished. 

But I think I'm going to make my word, 'full'. 

As in, full of Jesus-life, potential, ability, the Holy Spirit, power. 

Living a life full of blessings, family, laughter, tears, opportunity. 

And full of dreams, hopes, visions and plans for the future. 

Full of hope in my God.