Words are creative.
Words have power.
Words are seeds.

Want to see a flower wilt? It’s simple, don’t give it any sun, water, or soil. The same is true for women. If you show me a beautiful “flower” of a lady wilting away, I will bet there are some damaging seeds being sown into her heart by the power of critical, degrading, demeaning & hurtful WORDS!
.
With words we build up or we tear down. Words give us the clearest magnifying glass and close up image of our heart condition. If I listen to a person for just a few minutes I will learn what is most important to them, hence, what’s in their hearts.

Ladies, as beautiful flowers in God’s garden we must be careful of the words we sow into the hearts of those God has entrusted to us: our spouses, our children, our parents, friends, neighbors, co-workers, students, and everyone in our sphere of influence. We must also be careful of the words we “allow” others to speak into and over our lives. We are lovely flowers, but we are fragile and must be handled with love and care. You can’t just grab a flower by the petals, mistreat it and expect it to grow. Although some of us can be in the shade and some need extra sun, some of us need lots of water, and some need very little water to survive, one truth doesn’t change, we all need soil to be planted in and our journey begins as a seed.

Years ago in a warm and sunny kitchen, I was a part of dynamic circle of women. We were all different ages and in different seasons of life, but we had this common thread, to grow stronger in our walk with Christ and to build a loving community of supportive sisters. We did just that. One particular time of fellowship, we had the assignment to complete the following phrase: I am…

I wrote many words, but the first word I wrote was FARMER. As an educator I am blessed with the privilege to plant seeds by “speaking life” into the hearts of children, and these seeds will last a life time. Teaching them to LOVE reading and that their education is essential to success on a daily basis is a powerful opportunity to plant seeds, or be a farmer. As a wife, mother, and friend I enjoy sowing seeds of love into the hearts of my circle of influence. It’s nothing more fulfilling than displaying through my words and lifestyle that Jesus lives. I give Him the glory for everything that I am and that I have. It’s a priceless responsibility!

You’re beautiful.
You can do it!
You’ll be a success!
These are all life changing statements.

You’re a stupid *#@.
You’re no good.
You’re such a loser.
You’re going to be a failure just like your mom/dad.
These too are life altering statements. However, they are planting seeds that will surely grow two totally different types of harvest and it is clear which set of sentences are verbally abusive.

God spoke and there was light. God spoke and the sky separated from the waters. He spoke yet again and He created the stars and the moon. God gave us that same creative power from the fruit of our lips. The tongue has the power of life and death! There it is! Proverbs 18:21 in black and white and straight from the Word; teaches us that we can choose to speak life or speak death over any and EVERY situation in our lives.

Your words define you. And although I’ll get to how others speak to us, I must first start by looking inward, talking to my sisters.

What type of words flow from your lips? Are they positive, encouraging, uplifting, healing and empowering? Or are they negative, discouraging, tear down, gossipy, full of malice, anger and hate which destroy? Reckless words pierce like a sword but the tongue of the wise brings healing. We ought to want our words to bring life and healing to the listener. Yeah, sometimes walking in truth cuts like a sword, and may even cause pain. However, NOT speaking the truth allows layers of ugliness that stagnate growth and stifle the love in any relationship. Are you “ALWAYS” being pushed to the point where you’re cursing like a sailor? The truth is NO one can “make you” do anything. Have you checked your heart lately?

Allow me to sow seeds of love into the fertile ground of your hearts.
You are: pure, noble, lovely, admirable, excellent, royalty, chosen, holy, amazing, strong, intelligent, cherished, light, irresistible, fabulous, beautiful and most importantly LOVED!

This is who we truly are. This is how we were designed and created by God. I don’t care what you have done in the past, where you were raised, and even what you may think of yourself. This is how God sees you, and you cannot possible know better than Him. Let no one speak words contrary to who God says you are into your life.

Yes, at times we talk too much, we gossip, we slander, we ridicule, we argue (we will argue you down) and definitely give Satan room. But the truth is, we want to be heard, respected, and listened to. We desire to be affirmed and receive attention from those we love and this is especially true for the men in our lives.

If we believe that our words have creative power, why do we allow others to speak to us with words that have crippled us? Why do we bounce our heads, and shake our hips to songs that degrade women and young girls, yet we tell those same little girls that they are princesses? Why do we remain in dysfunctional relationships that rip our self-esteem into shreds without requiring respect? You’re ugly, you’re too fat, you’re too skinny, you’re worthless, you’re too slow, you’re too fast, you’re too strong, you’re too weak, no one else wants you, you’re dumb, and countless other four and five letter words my beautiful strong sisters have allowed (this includes myself) people to speak into the ground of our hearts for centuries. The harsh reality is that we begin to accept it as true, believing the words, the lies, the seeds that were spoken into our hearts.

Oh, and it does take root. We either lose a part of our heart and wilt or we grow a thorn and began spitting that same fire. We are life givers and we will give life to whatever we are given. At times we actually begin speaking death and sowing seeds of discord into the hearts of others. Whether in retaliation or anger it’s never acceptable. Not as the precious rubies, priceless crowns, and exquisite flowers God created us to be.

Two Last Points and Tips on Becoming a Farmer:

#1 When ever you find that someone is disrespectful or verbally abusive– Put on your armor and get to stepping! Your feet walk in PEACE. (Ephesians 6:14 &16)
Any weak person can fight, yell, or curse back but true strength can walk away from negativity and strife knowing that you don’t have to prove your strength to anyone but God. Learning this truth was revelation for me! I was raised in the projects in a rough section of Brooklyn, New York and back then you NEVER just walked away. That would mean you were weak. Learning to walk as Jesus did changed my mindset and my life. Jesus walked away and avoided foolish arguments until it was time to handle his business at the cross. He is our example. Besides, anyone who cannot recognize and respect who you are “a Queen” and is verbally abusive doesn’t deserve the privilege to share your breathing space. Walk away in peace.

#2 If YOU ARE the person not maintaining self-control, keeping your wig tightened, and your tongue tamed, and you still HAVE to say something – BLESS them!

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. (Romans 12:14) Try it! It will actually calm you down, remind you of who you are, AND remind you that God is ALWAYS listening to your words AND your “responses.” A long time ago I learned a powerful truth — Love is in the response! So the next time someone or if someone calls you outside of your name, Bless them! It may make that person angry but it’s better than lowering your standards. Sometimes you may have to bless them, while you’re walking away, but as a former sailor (and I do mean I was a cursing fool) it gets easier and easier and before you know it, your mouth and heart will be clean and you will be able to glorify God, EVEN in your anger. Listening to foul language will repulse you, cause you to cringe, and crush your heart, because you know that, that person used to be YOU, but Glory to God for a new clean heart!

Don’t allow verbal abuse in your life, and don’t BE verbally abusive. Remember, you are planting seeds that I guarantee will grow into either life or death. My children are the most accurate reflection of me and my legacy in the Earth. I want them to do as I do and NOT just do as I say, so I strive to SPEAK LIFE to them around them, AND when they’re not around. Now, I also have a husband who esteems me and applies God’s words in his speech and actions towards me. He gives our sons a Godly model to emulate when they become husbands and fathers. Let’s plant seeds of LIFE & LOVE! Will you join me?

In His Service,
Farmer Mo Love-Peterson

FARMER TIPS
As you plant, may I suggest the following rules for your garden planting, and Speaking Life:

PLANT 3 rows of squash:
1. Squash gossip
2. Squash criticism
3. Squash indifference
PLANT 7 rows of peas:
1. Prayer
2. Perseverance
3. Politeness
4. Promptness
5. Preparedness
6. Purity
7. Patience

PLANT lettuce:
1. Let us be unselfish and loyal
2. Let us be faithful
3. Let us be truthful
4. Let us search the scriptures
5. Let us not be weary in well doing
6. Let us be “immediately” obedient
7. Let us love one another

No garden is complete without turnips:
1. Turn up for church
2. Turn up for prayer, meetings and Bible study
3. Turn up with a smile
4. Turn up with determination to your best for God’s service

After planting, and sowing seeds of love, may you Grow in Grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Chris and reap a rich harvest!

Out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks (Matt 12:34)