When Words Matter Most
Today I am writing to you from a bookstore cafe in New Zealand.
It is a quaint spot that I have been regularly frequenting to write.
They sell all types of tea and the most amazing chocolate fudge brownie. So far, I've stuck with my usual jasmine green tea, but I may venture out and try something new.
Before I introduce this month's book, I want to tell you that good things have been brewing behind the scenes. Just like any good cup of tea, the leaves must be steeped for some time before it melds together to create a rich and fragrant flavour. I hope this month away will be just that and that the best is yet to come.
This month, the blog posts will focus on the topic of 'words' and explore a different aspect each week. As I have thought more about why I write this blog, I have realised that I consider words quite important. More than that, I believe them to be powerful. Though this is a little different, I hope you will enjoy reading. A reminder that if you have not done so already, you can subscribe to my weekly updates to receive my posts delivered directly to your inbox. It's the fastest way to know when I have posted!
It seems fitting that this month begins with a book reflection on 'When Words Matter Most'. This book came out last year in September (so not too long ago), and I've had the pleasure of reading it over the past month. I had bought the e-book to read with a friend but was gifted a physical copy as a birthday gift, so I finished reading it by myself first (sorry Chanel & thanks Esther).
It was a warm, thoughtful and intentional book that considered the reader's needs. Filled with love, encouragement and comfort for those who struggle to know what to say to those they love, it provides truth from God's word and practical guidance on how to bring it into everyday conversations. The best way to describe what it feels like to read this book is to compare it to being enveloped in a big, warm embrace by an older motherly figure.
I appreciated many things about this book, and it was more than the teacup illustrations on the front cover (though I did think it was pretty neat). I loved that in the introduction, Cheryl and Caroline prayed over their readers as they embarked on the journey of learning how to speak truth with grace. They offer prayer, encouragement and a wealth of guidance from their combined 55 + years of experience in ministry.
You can see their expanse of knowledge in the real-life stories woven throughout, the carefully chosen passages from God's word, the complementary short explanations and the way they anticipate your needs as a reader. They've thought your thoughts, felt your fears and know your heart. This book is a culmination of all they have learned, and they hope that it will remind, encourage and challenge you to realign your thoughts to the truth of God's word.
Lastly, they share a deep appreciation for God's word and the power of our words to communicate His word to those we love. I only hope that this blog will achieve a fragment of what they have successfully done through their book.
Introduction to the Book
Title: When Words Matter Most*
Author: Cheryl Marshall & Caroline Newheiser
Genre: Christian Living
Rating: 5/5
Summary: This book was written to encourage and equip you to speak truth with grace to those you love. It is about having conversations with your fellow believers when they are struggling spiritually. Filled with real-life stories, passages from God's word and practical guidance, it challenges you to consider why you should speak, what you should say and how you should say it.
Links:
*Note: this is an affiliate link which means if you like the book and make a purchase, I will receive a small commission.
One Page Summary
According to Google, a single Microsoft Word page has approximately 550 words.
So here are my 550 words on When Words Matter Most.
There comes a moment when we will struggle or someone we know will struggle. At that moment, we need someone to tell us what is true, what is right, to remind us of who God is and what He promises. This book is about these moments and how we can better equip ourselves to speak the truth with grace to those we love.
One of the main ideas is that we are all called to speak as believers. Speaking truth with love is how we encourage one another in our spiritual growth and maturity. It is God's purpose for each of us to contribute to the building up of His church, and it is His gift that we get to serve each other in this way (Ephesians 4:11-16).
‘The Lord has created a beautiful, intricate tapestry of relationships within his church, and you’re a part of that grand design. Like a master weaver, the Lord has woven you into a particular place, of a particular time, for particular reasons, with particular people. It doesn’t matter if your sphere of influence is small or large, seen or unseen. What matters is that you be faithful to God’s calling to speak truth with grace right where you are with the people he has placed in your life’ (pg. 25).
One way we show God’s love to one another is by bearing each other’s burdens (Galatians 6:2). Before we speak, "we must seek to know and understand those we love and the burdens they carry so that our words will be meaningful, relevant and helpful".
We must also first receive and know the grace of God for ourselves. Without this, we can’t extend God’s grace to others through our words. Our knowledge and experience of His grace shape our character, conversation and conduct as gracious friends.
'I learned that I don't have the power to change another person's heart, but God does...He may choose to use me as a godly influence in the lives of those I love, but the transforming work is his alone. No matter how gracious I am, his grace is always greater than mine' (pg. 50).
The truth that we are called to speak is God’s word. God’s word is powerful and transforms us from the inside out. Together with the Spirit of God, it makes His word a living reality in us.
The main asset of this book is the carefully chosen passages from God’s word for the worried, the weary, the wayward and the weeping. Short explanations accompany each passage and help encourage confidence in speaking God’s truth.
If you struggle to love those around you or you struggle to speak the truth, this book is for you. There is a wealth of biblical guidance supported by Scripture and practical suggestions for how you can better equip yourself to speak truth with grace. I’ll leave you with a quote to ponder upon:
'Love that compromises truth or sacrifices it altogether isn't genuine, biblical love. Truth and love must always go hand in hand, especially as we encourage one another in the Christian life' (pg. 98).
Detailed Breakdown of the Book
'Three things are necessary to speak truth into the lives of those you love: a willingness to speak with them; an understanding of God's word; and an attitude of humility, grace, and love.'