If You Can’t Say Something Nice — Say Nothing At All

Day 147 of Photo Inspirations – “If You Can’t Say Something Nice….Say Nothing At All”

Those were words I heard over and over again from my sweet Mama. Those times when I would grumble about the rain and not being able to go out and play; when I would say something ugly about someone; when I would speak negatively about myself – like, “I’m so skinny (I know it’s hard to believe that, but there was a time when I took “Weight ON” pills).” LOL!

When Mama spoke, I listened because if anyone had a reason to complain or speak negatively, she did….but didn’t. When I was 8, my Daddy was diagnosed with a brain tumor, and subsequently survived brain surgery. He was never the same after that. He became more like a sibling to me than my Daddy. Mom had to work so hard to take care of him and I because Daddy had no health or pension benefits. I remember her taking her wedding ring to the Pawn Shop and selling it to get a few dollars for us. My Dad passed away 7 years later. She never grew bitter, never was depressed or angry. She never complained. She was always giving (oh how she stretched her social security check). She never knew wealth in this world’s measure. But, I assure you – I have never known a happier, more contented, full of life, joyful and RICH woman as my Mama. She walked and talked like every day was full of sunshine – in the weather…..and in her circumstances. I still hear her singing “This is my story. This is my song, praising my Savior all the day long.” She taught me best by her living. These scriptures best describe the way she lived:

Psalms 19:14 “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD…”

Ephesians 4:29 “Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

Philippians 4:8 “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is fair, whatever is pure, whatever is acceptable, whatever is commendable, if there is anything of excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—keep thinking about these things.”

I know that the best of me came from this precious woman and, in this message today, I hope you receive this “best of me” to you – that you will understand the riches of being a PRAISER rather than a COMPLAINER. I get that there are plenty of things TO complain about – we all face some significant struggles and the future could look pretty bleak at times, but I assure you that finding the good, and ONLY speaking the kind, generous, loving, faith-filled and caring words, you’ll find SUNSHINE on a cloudy day…..when it’s cold outside, you’ll find the month of May. I’m talking about my God, my God. So, in my Mama’s words…..”If you can’t say something nice…..say nothing at all!”