Challenge: Grace, not Destruction

Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.  Eph 4:29 NASB

This morning has been as draggy as yesterday morning was solid.  As quick as Olivia was yesterday, today it took her 45 minutes to fold eight pairs of panties.  I ran behind, too, seeming to take much longer than necessary to get anything accomplished, running to and fro, here and there, getting distracted at every turn. 

And I was irritable about it.  And I spoke in snappy tones trying to urge children along.

I’ve often pondered and studied Eph 4:29, and even had it memorized at one point.  But, this morning one phrase stood out to me: “according to the need of the moment.” 

Yesterday I made a decision while standing alone in the kitchen dealing only with my own thoughts.  In a way I was insulated, and it wasn’t hard to make the right decision.

Today, though, I was in the middle of hustle and bustle.  And in the demand of the moment, I failed. 

This verse is talking about those split-second moments in the hustle and bustle of life.  Those moments when our words can be destructive or full of grace.  When they can hurt or heal.  When they can derail or encourage.  My habit must be to produce godlly words in the middle of the fray.  My challenge is to establish that habit.