The Power of Our Words ~ Chicken Mole Mini Pizzas

The power of our words.  They can be sweet or filled with bitterness.  They can come out smooth or harsh.  Our words can make another say “wow” and want to learn more or they can make another person run.  Our words can be too sweet and the receiver will know that they are fake, or they can be just right, keeping the receiver of our words around for a while.  Our words can be memorable and powerful or they can be easily forgotten.   

A few months ago I was riding in a shuttle from the airport.  It was going to be about an hour ride and there was only one seat left.  Between an elderly man and a middle-aged woman.  My words started with small talk with the elderly man.  Where he was from, where he was going. 

He told me about his medical issues which were leading him to seek high level medical care at the world famous, Mayo Clinic.   His medical issues involved not being able to remember things.  He was in his eighties, but he was having trouble with his short term memory.  Getting in his car and forgetting why.  Losing his ability to follow through on simple tasks at home.  He spoke of his wife whom he had loved so dearly for decades.  He spoke of how they met and how he had missed her every day since she had passed away years ago.  He shed tears when he spoke of her.  So did I.  

His lack of memory was concerning to him.  As it would be to anyone.  Yet, he was able to recall with great detail an amazing life he had lived.  I was in awe as he spoke of his military service (he was in the same war as my grandfather in a much different role), his career that led to world travel, and how his office had literally been in a mountain.  I told him he should write a book because his story was something many needed to hear.  He responded that yes, in fact, there was a movie that had been produced based on his life a number of years ago.  Yet, he couldn’t remember what it was. 

As he had lived this amazing life, I asked him what he was most proud of.

“That I served my country.”

His words were humbling.  He had done so many amazing things and yet his answer was simple.  He felt it was his duty to serve.

He wasn’t bragging about the things he had done.  He was telling his story. 

Lump in my throat, tears in my eyes.  I was inspired. 

I too, feel called to serve.  Not in the military.  But to serve God.  I believe God is calling me to serve other moms.  To share my story as a means to inspire.  Do I have all the answers?  No, but I will be praying through this journey so that the words that are written really matter to you.  Am I nervous and scared that readers might leave?  Is this an area of vulnerability?  Yes, and YES!  And in a few days, my blog will begin to undergo a little makeover as I re-focus and shift.

As I think about the power of our words, I think of chocolate.  Chocolate?  Words?  How can they possibly be similar?

Chocolate can either be sweet or bitter. So can our words.

A little sweet chocolate can be good for us.  On a daily basis.  Sweet words are good for us too on a daily basis.

Good chocolate can be good for the heart.  Good words are good for the heart.

Chocolate melts in our hand.  It leaves a mess.  Words can leave a mess too.

So, as we eat our Valentine’s Day chocolate this month, let it be a reminder that our words matter and can make a difference. 

And use a little chocolate to make a mole sauce (MO-lay), a classic Mexican sauce that contains chocolate.   Mole sauce (this one is made in less than five minutes because it’s made in the microwave), with its smoky and barbecue flavor is a delicious sauce for this pizza.

 For more chocolate-inspired recipes, take a look at all the recipes featured by my friends at Recipe ReDux…