Good morning, DearHeart.

As I woke I thought about connection. That’s usually how the Holy Spirit works with me – I ask for a word or theme for my guide as my final prayer at night. When I wake up,

a word,

phrase,

or scripture is fresh.

All God.

Simply because I ask.

He is good like that – hearing our prayer, and delivering what we need.

His way.

His authority.

His gift.

So, I went back and searched my notes to see how many times I’ve used the word “connect” this year in my writings. 11. This makes 12. That qualifies in my simple heart as a theme that is taking shape.

Connection. That is both harder and easier than ever.

One of my favorite new voices is Lauren Daigle … she sings a song called “Dry Bones”…

‘As we call out to dry bones come alive, come alive,

We call out to dead hearts come alive, come alive,

Up out of the ashes let us see an army rise,

We call out to dry bones come alive,

So breathe, oh breath of God

Now breathe, oh breath of God

Breathe, oh breath of God now breathe …’

The apostle James warns us about the tongue (texting fingers, too) – especially for those of us who teach: ‘Teaching is highly responsible work. Teachers are held to the strictest standards’ (James 3:1, MSG). It is consoling that he adds, ‘we all stumble in many ways’ (v.2) – certainly I do.

The tongue is a powerful little instrument that can do so much good, and yet so much harm. It can unite or divide: ‘By our speech we can ruin the world, turn harmony to chaos, throw mud on a reputation, send the whole world up in smoke and go up in smoke with it, smoke right from the pit of hell’ (v.8, MSG).

Relationships, even marriages, often end because of things that have been said or not said. People lose their jobs, their reputation, their families when words are used to hurt and destroy rather than build and connect.

Harsh, unjust words have destructive power. Learn to control the tongue and fingers so that you speak words of blessing to people and about people.

Speak words of life. Your words have tremendous power for connection. You can bring healing, encouragement and edification. Your words can change a person’s day or even their life.

Wake up.

Speak life.

It connects.

Go.