The granddaughters were over the other day and once again they were helping me water plants on the back porch.  Avery who is 6 decided she also wanted to water the new fig tree we planted last year so she began to carry the watering can over to that side of the yard to complete her task.  As she did, I told her to be sure and watch her step since I had not scooped up after the dogs in a couple of days.  Avery slowed down her walk and told me, “Don’t worry Pawpaw…I’m watching my step.  Sometimes people just say the words and don’t really think about what they mean, but I’m actually watching where I put my feet.”  I love that girl, six years old and already so smart and so wise.

Avery is right, sometimes people do just say words and don’t really know what they are saying or consider the gravity of what those words mean. In James chapter 2, James talks about that very concept. James speaks about people who say they have faith in God but whose lives indicate otherwise. He speaks of people who profess to walk like Christ but yet they show partiality among people, they dishonor others, show no mercy and they do not exercise compassion. James speaks of these people as having a faith that is dead because they are saying some words about faith but not putting them into practice. My granddaughter Avery is right, we should consider what we say, the gravity and meaning of our words and we should be careful and prayerful about how and where we walk.