Watching Our Words in Lent (Part 6)

March 29, 2026 / colleen arnold / 2 Comments

Welcome to Holy Week! This weekend, we celebrate Palm Sunday, and one more week until Easter – still plenty of time to work on choosing our words well.

Part 6: Learn to Leave

Our last idea is to learn when to leave the conversation; sometimes, the best choice is simply to walk away.

Despite what society seems to teach, I don’t need to have the last word.
It’s ok to leave a conversation without getting in that clever jab, that smart retort that will prove how right I am.
I don’t have to convince everyone of my opinion.

In the same way, I don’t have to take offense at each callous comment I hear; not everything is meant to insult me. Often, it’s a lack of awareness on the speaker’s part.

And those people who intentionally upset or offend me often do so just to make themselves feel better. I don’t need to justify myself to them – the only opinion of me that matters is God’s!

There is a time to speak and a time to be silent (Ecclesiastes. 3:7).

Let’s continue using our words to make the world a sweeter place. Next week is Easter- see you then!

-colleen

Excerpts taken from: Arnold, Colleen. “5 Steps toward Better COMMUNICATION.” St. Anthony Messenger, vol. 129, no. 8, 2022, pp. 31-34.

Watching Our Words in Lent (Part 5)

March 21, 2026 / colleen arnold / 2 Comments

Welcome Back! I hope we’re all making our conversations sweeter. We’ve only got two weeks until Easter – plenty of time for more progress!

Week 4: Build up Others

In some ways, this week’s idea is a continuation of the last, and builds on the idea of speaking gently and respectfully to encourage others. Words have the power to wound and hurt, but they also have the power to inspire and heal. Our sweet comments can do immeasurable good in this wounded world, and there are opportunities every day to recognize and appreciate one another.

For from the fullness of the heart the mouth speaks. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will render an account for every careless word they speak (Matthew 12:34,36).

We can use our words to complement another’s hard work instead of letting it go unnoticed: try to give at least one sincere compliment every day.

We can use our words to show gratitude for kindness rather than taking it for granted: try to say thank you for even small gestures

We can use our words to remind those we love how much they mean to us: take time to tell your spouse or children you love them. Not just a quick, “Love you!” as we run out the door to work or school, but with heartfelt attention in a quiet moment.

Kindness begets kindness, and our appreciation for others soothes our own hearts as well.

Pleasing words are a honeycomb, sweet to the taste and invigorating to the bones
(Proverbs 16:24).

Let’s continue using our words to make the world a sweeter place. Come back next week for one last idea. See you then!

-colleen

Excerpts taken from: Arnold, Colleen. “5 Steps toward Better COMMUNICATION.” St. Anthony Messenger, vol. 129, no. 8, 2022, pp. 31-34

Watching Our Words in Lent (Part 4)

March 14, 2026 / colleen arnold / Leave a comment

Welcome back to our Lenten challenge! I hope we’re all making progress, taking a sweet pause before we speak, and assessing the “why” behind our words.

Our next step is to consider how we deliver our comments, not only our words, but our posture, and timing as well. Our remarks should always be gentle and respectful, considerate of others’ feelings. Sometimes our motives are kind, but our word choice is insensitive. Harsh words are rarely productive and generally put others on the defensive. Again, a good question to ask myself is, “How would I feel if someone said this to me? “

A mild answer turns back wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Proverbs 15:1).

Words are not the only way we communicate; we also use body language and facial expressions.
Am I saying something mean, but delivering it with a false smile?
Am I saying something nice, but revealing my negative thoughts by the look on my face? Other people can easily read our true feelings. When our words and feelings contradict each other, we will not be trusted, and our words will not be helpful.

Finally, we should consider our timing. For example, I don’t have to share details about my great promotion right after my neighbor loses her job. I don’t need to tell a friend about my daughter’s full scholarship award the day after her son gets his college rejection letter. Yes, people I love will want to celebrate my good news, but it is more considerate to choose the right time to share.

Golden apples in silver settings are words spoken at the proper time (Proverbs 25:11).

Let’s continue working on our words even before we speak them. But this week, let’s also consider our body language, facial expressions, and timing, too. Come back next week, and we’ll add another idea. See you then!

-colleen

Excerpts taken from: Arnold, Colleen. “5 Steps toward Better COMMUNICATION.” St. Anthony Messenger, vol. 129, no. 8, 2022, pp. 31-34.