15 A gentle answer deflects anger,
    but harsh words make tempers flare.

² The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing,
    but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.

³ The Lord is watching everywhere,
    keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.

⁴ Gentle words are a tree of life;
    a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 15:1-4

Dear God, I’m about to go into the office for the first time in over a week. I don’t know what I am walking into today. What, if any, conflicts happened while I was gone? What problems arose? Maybe it was all good, and it will be a smooth day. Whatever the case may be, I want to go into this day with your eyes, your thoughtfulness, your compassion, and your love.

One of the big things I want to do today and every day is be the person Solomon describes in these first four verses of Proverbs 15. There have been times (many times) in the past when I have been too quick to speak and been too harsh. It was rarely the right thing to do. I have made tempers flare with harsh words. I have belched out foolishness. I have crushed spirits. Wouldn’t it be nice if, from this day forward, I was to be know as a person who only builds up and nourishes others’ souls? If I deflected anger and helped lower it in others? If interactions with me left people simply wanting to know more of you? If my words sprung up your tree of life in others?

Father, make me mindful of my words all day, all week, and then into the rest of my life. But it starts here. Help me to be an encourager. But most important, help my life be a catalyst for others to come and know you.

I offer this to you in Jesus and with your Holy Spirit,

Amen