Actions speak louder than words

How many times in our lives have we said those cliche words, "Actions speak louder than words?" Most of us can say a multitude of times. I was perusing church websites with Brad the other night. I came across one that I was familiar with, but shall remain un-named. Right below it's name was it's short and sweet slogan..."Lives Changed Here." Being very familiar with this certain entity, I looked at Brad and said, "Little do they know how much they are changed." I can testify that from one church lives have definitely been changed, but unfortunately not always for the better. I started thinking about the damage that words can do to a person. A day or two before our church website surfing, I scrolled through my facebook live feed and found one of my friends status' to be spot on. It read "What we truly believe is what we practice daily. The rest is just religious talk." Whether you apply this saying to church and Christians today, or to every sector of people groups, this saying is true. It has been my experience that actions really do speak louder than words.

I can vouch for myself. When going through the worst time in my life a couple of years ago, I was treated the worst by my church and fellow Christian friends. The very people that preach love and forgiveness and acceptance (words) weren't the ones who showed up at my house to bring me meals, call and check on me, and weren't the ones holding my hand through my darkest times. (actions) The actions of a group of people have scarred this heart of mine and made me extremely leery of other like groups, although the words of their message is golden. How many times have we known someone going through a difficult time and say, "Let me know if I can do anything." (words) I know I've been guilty of saying that way too many times. It's the safe thing to say. But think about that for a minute. If someone is going through a difficult time, chances are they are not going to call if they need anything. However, if we called them or showed up at their house and brought them dinner or coffee, (actions) we probably wouldn't be turned away. What about relationships...how can you say you are willing to work on things and want things to get better (words) and yet run away from confronting the very issues that will make it better? (actions) How can you say you love someone (words) and yet you aren't willing to do something every day to show that love? (actions) Regardless of where we apply this lesson we should have all learned as a child, actions really do speak louder than words. What kind of actions are you making? Do they match up with what you are saying?

Let me touch on the subject I mentioned up above. I am now two & 1/2 years down the road from that hard time, but I can say I am thankful for the experience I went through. God took me on a journey and I am definitely a better person because of everything. However, I was reminded, by my friends post and that church's slogan, to evaluate what my actions are saying about me. Do they portray what I believe? Do they match up with my words? Does Brad know that I love him not only because I tell him but because I show him every day? Do my girls know they are the most precious thing to me not only because I tell them but because I show them every day? Do my friends know how important they are to me not only because I remind them but because my actions reflect that belief?

Do you want to know how someone really thinks and feels? Look at their actions. Because actions really do speak louder than words.