About the Author

ALIZA LATTA is a writer, artist, and pastor who is a huge fan of telling stories. She creates content for Canada’s largest youth conference, Change Conference, and is a church planter in Ontario, Canada. Her artwork and writing have been featured in publications for LifeWay, Dayspring, and (in)courage. She is...

(in)side DaySpring: things we love
& you will too!
Find more at DaySpring.com
(in)side DaySpring:
things we love
& you will too!
Find more at
DaySpring.com
Recent Posts

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Aliza,
    You write beautifully and so full of expression for one so young…that, in and of itself, shows the heart of a lion! I’ll never forget my very first writing assignment being returned to me in college. In big red pen, it said C+. I was used to “A’s” in high school so this came as a painful shock. That C+, however, made me more determined to once again see an A in the margin. I still wonder if my words are only a C+?? Thank you, this morning, for the reminder that “someone out there will never forget the words I’ve given them.” We ALL need encouragement. Thank you for being my encourager this day!!
    Blessings,
    Bev

    • Bev, your words are most certainly not just a C+. Every time I put a post out here on (in)courage I a) get super nervous and assume no one will read it and b) hope and hope and hope that YOU will comment. You are a natural encourager, and I know you have seriously encouraged all of us here. And that is no C+, my friend. You are a true example of how we here will never forget the words you have given us. So thank you, Bev, for consistently showing us examples of a lion heart, and of Jesus.

    • Bev,

      Your words matter!!! I look forward to reading your responses to these posts each day! You encourage me to keep going no matter the circumstance & to keep praying consistently and constantly!

      ((((((Hugs))))

  2. Aliza,
    I love your post today! The older I get -the more I realize the truth of the importance of how we use our words. Words can fill us or words can empty us. Words can build up or tear down. These days there are more words than ever with technology/social media. What a huge responsibility we have to one another!
    I have always loved to write. I have a suitcase full of journals spanning forty years. I’ve saved poetry that I wrote as a teen – pouring out my heart over and over. I love to collect uplifting and challenging quotes. I look for a new one each day to share with staff and students at the middle school where I am a secretary. Looking for words to help encourage, inspire, challenge us to live better; stronger yet gentler lives; to live with love and compassion.
    Then there is the greatest “Word” of all that fills my life with love, truth, and purpose. Today I will choose my words carefully – not only the ones I speak, but also those I choose to rattle around in my mind.
    Thanks again for your post. It has stirred my heart this morning!
    Melanie

    • That’s a great point about social media! I also love that picture of the suitcase overflowing with your words and journals. I hope you don’t stop writing and sharing, Melanie.

  3. What a beautiful post. What beautiful, true words.
    Our words do matter and yes, there is someone out there who needs to hear our words.

    Thank you for writing this. Perhaps today I will finally start writing the words I’ve been hesitant to write…for perhaps today, or tomorrow, or the day after, there is someone who needs to hear my words and will never forget them.

    Blessings!

  4. Oh Aliza, such a high compliment your professor offered you! That feeling of writing from a place of insignificance? I get it. I’m learning though, that how I perceive myself and how God reveals me to others are often very different.

    I so appreciate the reminder that words I offer others may just stay with them for a life time. What an exhortation to speak with grace and with care, and to allow myself to be the pen God uses to write words on my blog, on cards and through my actions . . . words that affirm and point others to Jesus. Thanks for this post. Just beautiful!

  5. My sweet Aliza (Starshine) :
    You may be 20 but your spirit is 50. You are so wise for such a young lady. You are right about words and someone needing to hear them.
    I am constantly surprised when someone repeats something I said a long time ago; how I (in)couraged them. My heart smiles.
    As for your dear, sweet, warrior Mamma, we are rejoicing with her and the whole Latta family today.
    God is good for sure. Love. ((hugs)) and prayers: Mrs “T” xo

  6. Aliza, your words encourage in so many ways. I have felt moved to volunteer at my local high school, to give those teens more feedback on their writing. My goal was to help them grow as students, but you have shown me my feedback could be so much more. I will continue to approach this calling with prayer, hoping I can encourage not just students but hearts as well.

  7. I love this and am so new to your art and your words, but I am loving every one of them! Thanks for sharing… and for stepping in and stepping up and growing into that Lion Heart… I suspect others saw it in you too, before you could see it in yourself! Aslan is funny like that!

  8. Aliza,

    You write so beautifully! You do have the brave heart of a lion!! I wish I could craft words as easily as you do! God has gifted you with a tremendous talent! You are using it to glorify Him!

    Blessings 🙂

  9. This is a beautiful post. You DO have the heart of a lion. Keep on writing.

    God bless the one who “assured your worth” that day.

    And this: “there’s someone out there who will never forget the words you’ve given them.” I know this to be true. And I pray that I can give this kind of encouragement to others.

  10. Love this- thank you! I often think and feel just as you did – most times I feel terribly uninspired, and think “What do I have to offer?” But that attitude shows that I am limiting God. God can offer through me- and my words- things I cannot even think or imagine. And it’s really not up to me how or where my words go. It’s up to Him.

  11. This is so beautiful! Thank you for sharing such a meaningful moment with us. I think it is wonderful that a teacher made such an impact, and I love the idea that our words will impact someone, someday, too!

  12. I so love the comment from your teacher and how it impacted your heart..thank you for sharing…if your words encourage even one person, you can not know how far that will go, you are the proof. Beautiful.

  13. Aliza so insightful as to the power of words. Our words whether spoken or written are powerful. Such a huge responsibility as believers as we give words of life to those around us. Thanks for YOUR beautiful words.