“Fill your paper with the breathings of your heart.” This quote by William Wordsworth is taped to my computer to inspire me when I sit down to write. So many times, I’ve done just that—let my heart breathe the words out loud as I write. And yet, lately I have felt like an empty canyon where words only echo off the walls, not off my heart.
If you’re like me, I’m sure at times you’ve felt empty, or at a loss for words—to console a grieving friend, to express your love, to say, “I’m sorry, I was wrong”, to ask for forgiveness, to convey your gratitude, or even to praise God.
Perhaps both of us need to be reminded that there will be dry and empty times when a loss of words leaves us feeling speechless. Sometimes I can’t “think on my feet”, as they say, and I fumble and bumble for the right words. I can feel something so deeply that I want to say, but the right words just don’t seem to come out.
I remember a time when I met a woman who had recently lost her husband to cancer. I so wanted to encourage her with words of hope, compassion, and empathy. My words seemed so trite and hollow. Nothing came out right and I knew I had missed the opportunity to console her.
As I sat in front of an empty screen on my computer, the breathing of Jesus slowly began to fill my heart. My confidence was slowly restored as I leaned into Jesus rather than myself for words and inspiration. He knew my fragile, weak places and began to strengthen my mind and heart as I recounted His word.
I couldn’t help but smile when I remembered part of the conversation between Moses and the Lord in Exodus 4:10-13 NLT. “But Moses pleaded with the Lord, O Lord, I’m just not a good speaker…. I’m clumsy with words.” And the Lord said, “I will help you speak well, and I will tell you what to say.” I too, have felt clumsy with words in both writing and speaking, but the Lord always leads me in the direction of what He wants me to write and say when I rely on Him to guide me.
It’s easy to get side-tracked from what you know deep down in your heart. Emotions can play havoc, the enemy can distract you, and you can lose your confidence pretty quickly. I know it, I get it, I live it. Sometimes we need a little nudge to center ourselves back on Jesus. It’s what He does through us, not what we do ourselves.
Here’s a little nudge to help you get back on track…
God will enable us with His strength do what He has called us to do.
God will equip and prepare us for what He has planned for us.
God will encourage us with His word and the assurance of His presence.
This much I know!
From My Heart to Yours,
