Think about it!

"Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you."
Philippians 4:8-9

This verse has played over and over in my mind lately!  It's a good verse to have on repeat!  I want my thoughts and speech to look identical to Philippians 4:3-9.  If I am thinking on things that are excellent or praiseworthy instead of listening to lies that often play in my head, then the lies will be shattered!  My heart has been broken for people who speak negatively about others, including myself when I catch myself thinking or saying things that aren't uplifting.  I catch myself doing it!  I don't even mean a literal bashing at the cost of someone else.  I am talking about subtle comments that sound as if we are concerned about the person.  We may even be concerned and usually are genuinely concerned, but the end result can still be gossip if we are not very careful.  I don't want to speak things that aren't giving life to others.  The only way to stop is to begin meditating on things that are spoken of in the verse above.  I desire to focus on things God wants me focused on.  

Maybe this is how we are broken for our sins, but not to the point of being overtaken by guilt which leads to misery. Maybe this is how we fight for joy. We have a family of believers who are fighting with us. The thoughts that begin in our minds are to be taken captive in the moment of thinking them. If they are negative towards others or ourselves they should be killed with prayer immediately.
 Is our speech
1. True?
2. It may be true but is it noble?
3. Right?
4. Pure?
5. Lovely?
6 Admirable?
If it isn't, then it shouldn't leave our mouths. It is to be killed in our minds. I think it takes practice and we may never fully meet this goal on this side of Heaven, but I want to strive to meet it. We are going to slip up, which is why I'm so thankful for grace, but I don't want to misuse grace.

A wise woman gave me some parenting tips recently.  One thing she told me was never talk about others in front of your children.  If you have a concern to share with your husband, say it in privacy.  Children begin to internalize these thoughts and think, "Others speak badly about me behind my back.  They may say nice things to me to my face, but when I am not in the room they are talking about me."  Children hear things differently and they can interpret a sincere concern for another person to be gossip.  I don't want my baby to live with the insecurities I have lived with all my life.  This is why I pray God will control my speech.  Taking thoughts captive is not just for my good, but the good of those I love.  Most importantly our speech glorifies the Lord when we learn how to stop our thoughts and check them with God's word. 

This is totally unrelated, but I just wanted to share pictures of this sweetness!

Also, just in case you are wondering, the diet is going well and not so well.  I don't feel different as of now, but tomorrow makes two weeks.  I am giving it eight.  I have cried a lot, because I have felt judged by others.  I am actually not sure anyone has judged me, but my thoughts automatically go to "others must talk bad about me."  Actually, it seems like more people have supported rather than judge.  My cousin/friend, Wade made me a special hamburger patty when we celebrated Van's birthday.  He left off seasoning, because he knew I couldn't have them.  My mother-in-law made a dish that I could eat and we also made THESE FRIED APPLES!!! Eileen has become one of my favorite food bloggers!  She makes wonderful recipes and she is so nice!  Who knew such small acts of kindness could bring tears of joy?  I am in the process of making plantain tortillas and plantain chips for a shower tonight.