Devotional Sunday (1 John 3:18)

Children. They are our most precious commodity in this world. They daily show us unconditional love. They bring joy and happiness to our lives.

If only those of us in the world can be more like them. Their view of the world is pure and innocent. So are their hearts.

1 John 3:18
Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.


Actions really do speak louder than words. Even small children know this. Words can cut deep like a knife and drive directly in to the soul.

As I grew up, I had required medical intervention via a tracheotomy to help me keep air circulating through my lungs. So, I had a visible impairment, being that the "bolus" of the trach was on the outside of my throat.

Needless to say, men, women and children alike gawked, stared, snickered, sneered, giggled under their breath as they cupped their mouths to not let us see.

Then there were those, again adults and children alike, that made it no secret of how they thought of my parents letting me out of the house "looking like that" and using me as the butt of their god-awful jokes.

The children don't come out of the womb thinking, acting, and speaking in that manner. It was taught. Through the tongue of their parents. Their actions were of a lesser heartened person. So really deep down, I never truly blamed the children. I blamed those that are the "best" teachers (besides the Lord)...Their parents.

In all of this what made it worse? That I would see these kids, along with their parents in CHURCH! Talk about hypocrisy at its finest.

So yes, words of the tongue are sharper than any sword. Actions, depending on what it is, can be a softener. Words can never be taken back. So, speak through the tongue with love. And you will get love back in return.