Here, then gone!

A few Sundays ago, a friend came to church, served in children's ministry, participated in worship, then went shopping before heading home. She never made it. While in a store, she collapsed and died en route to the hospital from a massive stroke. She didn't know when she got up that morning, she would be dead in a few short hours.

When I heard the news, my heart rejoiced for her heavenly homecoming, but I wondered about the last words she spoke. Would she have said something different if she knew those words would be her final ones?

I'm a writer, and I love words, but I've often used them negatively in anger, or frustration. What power we possess through our speech...power and opportunity...opportunity to bless or to curse.

Of course I want to be remembered for the words of blessing I've spoken, words full of grace and mercy. One of the first scripture verses I learned was from proverbs. " Whoever guards his mouth and tongue, keeps his soul from trouble." When I fill my heart with kindness, mercy and things of good report, my mouth reflects it. "Not what goes into the mouth, but what comes out of the mouth defiles a man."

When my final appointment with destiny comes, I hope my friends, family and my readers will remember my final words with a smile or two. Until then, I will be practicing.