Wordles and Words
When did words become so fascinating? When did the meanings become so precious? My head spins at the thought of words spoken day after day, for centuries, vibrating around the globe. Could I pluck a sentence out of the air that Abraham Lincoln spoke? What would it be? Could there be a poll to determine the percentage of positive, encouraging words, and those that are filled with hate and evil? What if my words could be captured at some point, what kind of a person would they reveal?
There are websites of different kinds of words: Beautiful, Silly, Sad, Thoughtful, Inspirational, Challenging and Provoking. And there is another genre of words that create hurt, tears and destruction to the hearer.
As a girl, I grew up with parents who disciplined, scolded, but there was a balance of love, moments that were precious when words weren’t necessary. Now I treasure the filing cabinet filled with words my Mother wrote. I know her thoughts, I know her anxieties, frustration, and most of all, I know her heart. How she wrote, and how she dealt with life has helped me in living my life, meeting challenges.
Words became so important to her, as they poured from her mind and heart. She prayed that God use her writing for His purposes. She wrote poetry, a memoir of her family, articles, stories and scripture songs. Her writing is a plethora of words on paper that encase wisdom for me.
One of my favorite scriptures is: As you think in your heart, so are you. Proverbs 23:7. Our words reveal who we are to others. Facebook, the social media, reveals more than others may know, or want to know, about who we are.
The words Home, Mother, Comfort Food and Love create that complete feeling of Peace that is inclusive. So often, when sick, Mother made an eggnog for me…Just for me. “Never was sure about the medicinal value of a raw egg, milk and a bit of sugar) To this day, when I think of an eggnog and I see Mother’s hands giving me love with a sprinkle of nutmeg!
And there are impatient words of hate, anger and criticism that spew a torrential feeling of fear, uneasiness and distrust. These words create impenetrable walls around our heart.
”Spoken words leave voice-prints on the hearer’s heart. The speaker’s own heart determines whether the voice-print scars or encourages.”
Then I ask myself, “Have I spoken truth?” “Have my words always been gentle?” “Have I used patience and considered words before speaking?” “Is my speech peppered with inappropriate language?” “Has my speech betrayed an ugly heart?” “Have I carried stories, whether true or not, that have decimated the character of someone?”
When did all these words begin? Recently the words – In the beginning – caught my eye. We all like new beginnings, turning a new leaf in our lives. This feeling comes like a clean house uncluttered with unused possessions. It comes with the heart when it is changed and determines to begin anew. This is why each new baby is greeted with such joy. A new beginning. This is why angels rejoice in Heaven when a new babe in Christ is born.
Curious, among the 93 references in the Bible, I found – “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth..” (Genesis 1:1) And a similar verse is John 1:1 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” At the end of the Inspired Word of God, I find these Words from The Word – He said to me: “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To the thirsty I will give water without cost from the spring of the water of life. Revelation 21:6.
As babies we must learn to speak, no matter what language, we learn to walk, no matter wich nation. And we learn to think. The Word, in the beginning, was Jesus. The sweetest name we can say even now, is Jesus.
Why is that name of Jesus so sweet to the ear? His teaching, example and His presence give us strength through his characteristics of Love, Joy, Peace, Patience, Gentleness, Faithfulness, Kindness and Self-Control. These are called the Fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) (Against such, there is no law.)
However, as it is written:
“What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
the things God has prepared for those who love him – these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. I Corinthians 2:9-10
These words paint a picture that produce fruit in our lives that bless others and create the love that encourages others. Whenwe reflect those qualities of Jesus, we grow in Christ Jesus. In this day and age of drowning in words that question God, Jesus or Heaven, we remember with Joy that Jesus Lives and is coming again!
A Final Wordle of Hope!
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