[...with wisdom]

The recent realization and conviction hurt.
Despite my daily efforts at the contrary,
ill-timed, thoughtless words had spewed forth from my mouth.
They weren't anything overtly ugly.
They were just careless.
And they had the potential of raising questions of trust in the hearts of the hearers.

And God was gracious to bring them to my attention.

There are six specific words in scripture which have significantly influenced my own words over the past decade.  They have had tremendous bearing on the words I say and don't say.  They are, indeed, words to live by:

"She opens her mouth with wisdom..."
Proverbs 31:26

I've heard it said that this verse indicates that the wise woman's mouth is not always open. 

We're a society of words.  And unless a heart and mouth are trained, the tendency is to speak the first words that come to mind, often spewing thoughtless remarks that result in long-lasting pain.  And sometimes our words aren't so much damaging, but there's no real point to them.  Perhaps we like to hear ourselves talk.  Or perhaps we just like to be the first bearer of information; to be viewed as one "in-the-know."

But this verse sets a standard before me. 
A simple, brief reminder:
"Nik, when you have something to say, make it wise.  And unless you have something wise to say, keep your mouth shut."

And when I mess up and miss the mark,
it calls me back to wisdom;
a place of prayerfully seeking God
and asking Him to take control of the words
of my heart and my mouth.

My heart's cry and longing is to be wise and trusted;
to be a reflection of Jesus in what I do and don't say.
And my heart is awakened and committed to seeking wisdom
by seeking the One who gives it.