Tuesday, October 20, 2009

In Other Words--Sweet Water

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“If a sudden jar can cause me to speak an impatient, unloving word, then I know nothing of Calvary’s love, for a cup brimful of sweet water cannot spill even one drop of bitter water, however suddenly jolted.”
Amy Carmichael


Thank you for joining us for In Other Words this week!

No significant words of wisdom this week. I just found, as I was reflecting on what quote to choose this month, that these lines of Amy Carmichael's challenged me anew.

What spills out when I am jarred? A snarl at an unexpected delay? A less than kind word in response to a less than kind word? A look of disapproval at something that *I* would never do?

Or, do I spill out kindness when someone is having a tough day? A smile to "take one's time" when the delay is inevitable? Sweet words in response to less than kind words?

If I'm filled with sweet water, I will spill sweet water. If I am rooted in Christ, I will bear loving fruit.

By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit.
Matthew 7:16-18


Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8a



I would love to hear your thoughts on how we can be "sweet water" spilling out. Please join in the discussion and add your direct link in the McLinky below.

7 comments:

Tami said...

Need to keep those snarls to a minimum, eh?

Thanks for the reminder to work on this at HOME.

And thanks for hosting, friend.

Jennifer said...

Thanks for hosting...I needed this quote this week!

Sarah said...

Thank you very much for hosting IOW this week. It is good to be back to writing and meeting other fine women.

Karen said...

Indeed, indeed, if we're filled with sweet waters then that is what will spill out. Thanks for the check up as the quote gave us something to think about.

Denise Hughes said...

"Or, do I spill out kindness...?" Oh, how I pray this becomes more and more true of me as I grow in Him. While I know I'm nowhere near where I need to be, I know I'm heading in the right direction. Thank you for choosing such a thought-provoking quote this week.

Anonymous said...

I found IOW last week and was priviledged to include my "2 cents" in regard to the quote you picked. I found it to be just what I needed this week. I love how the Lord alligns his people and will remind you time and time again through his word and fellow sisters!
Thanks for allowing me to participate.
Jessie at Blog Schmog

Debbie Petras said...

I wish I could say I'm always spilling sweet water but I'm not. But this was convicting for me to remember to not satisfy my flesh.

Thanks for a great quote for us this week.

Blessings,
Debbie