Milk Thistle is a medicinal plant that can inflict both pain or healing depending on its use.  If handled recklessly without thought to its purpose, the aggressive thistles may cause painful wounds.  If handled with care, this same plant may be used to cleanse the body of toxins that accumulate in the liver.

So how does a spiky little flower and a sluggish liver relate with this blog?  Milk Thistle is a reminder to me of how our words can bring either healing or pain to those around us. If we give thought to the power and purpose of our words, we unlock the potential to bring great healing to others.  If we throw our words around recklessly, we lose sight of the gift and power of our speech as we tear down instead of build others up.

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Ephesians 4:29 NIV