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“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” – Psalm 19:14 (ESV)

This week, I stumbled with my words. What I intended as humor, perhaps even a way to feel accepted, landed harshly on someone else. In a moment of thoughtlessness, I prioritized a quick laugh over compassion. I was called out—rightly so. And with that, came a storm of embarrassment, regret and self-reflection.

It’s humbling to recognize that even with the best of intentions, we can still miss the mark. It’s even more humbling to realize that what seemed innocent to us can carry weight we never intended for others. But in this discomfort, there’s also grace. The moment we own our words, our failure, and offer sincere apology, we open a door for healing—not just for the one we hurt, but for ourselves too.

Maybe the deeper lesson was in the mirror this moment held up. Had I begun to think too highly of myself? Was I hiding behind humor as a way to fit in, rather than standing securely in who God made me to be?

There’s no undoing what was said, but there is the holy work of repentance—turning away from self-centeredness and returning to love. In this, I ask God for forgiveness—for the times my words have been careless, for the ways I’ve failed to see others clearly. I ask for a softened heart, a humbled spirit, and a renewed awareness of the power of my voice. May my future words reflect kindness, not insecurity; grace, not pride. And may the lessons learned in humility lead to greater wisdom in the days ahead.

Betsy Ore Glass has long-standing ties to the Outer Banks. From Virginia Beach, her family bought a vacation cottage in the 60s and her love of the area began. Later in the 90s, Betsy and her husband bought a weekend cottage and introduced the area to their children. Then Betsy’s parents retired to KDH where the family gathered often. Reach her at betsyglass1@gmail.com or read additional Reflections at www.betsyoreglass.com.

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