Just a quick disclaimer before I start off: The is really a chic-blog but guys, you can use some of it for your takeaway.

 Every woman in Texas knows that a girl doesn’t go anywhere without her lipstick. My mama told me that even if I find myself in a hospital bed, no matter how bad I feel, or how hard life gets, always put on your lipstick! Well, I guess it stuck because I can be in the middle of the Kalahari Desert in a tent. I can be in a hospital, birthing or helping someone who is. I can be crying in my Earl Grey tea, but you will be hard pressed to fin me without my lipstick on!

 When I was little, I had a babysitter from across the street that I thought was so great. Until she decided one day that I had a mouth that needed to be washed out with soap! I thought she was joking, but I found out pretty quick that she wasn’t. Child abuse, plain and simple, but I never cussed around her again!

 I don’t know about you but my mouth can sure get me in a lot of trouble. The Apostle Paul compares the tongue to a bit in a horse’s mouth, a rudder on a ship and a spark in a forest. Here it is broken down:

James 3:3-11

^“3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. ⁴ Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. ⁵ Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. ⁶ The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

⁷ All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind,⁸ but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

⁹ With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.¹¹ Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring?”

So, the conclusion is this:  Eph. 4:29 ²⁹ Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.

I looked in the mirror and gave myself a personal challenge, a dare. How about every time I put on my lipstick, I make a commitment to myself to try and let good stuff come out of my mouth; words that will lift and help others. Words that will speak life and not death. Words that will empower not destroy. With just a little effort, I can start to change my reality. Not all at once, but maybe, as much as I put on my lipstick every day, I can be reminded a lot! Girls, will you join me in my dare? We can cheer one another on!

If you are a guy and you made it to the end of this post-I admit, us gals needed this post more than the guys because we like to talk! But I dare you, too. You don’t have to put lipstick on, please don’t! But think about how your life would be different if your words were used more carefully.

Let me know Let if you are “in” by liking this post.

Day 18! My 500 Word challenge

Photos by bing.com