The power of words
I first started thinking about this when I was younger and I spoke “in jest” a lot and another older woman started teaching me about words and the power they hold, not only in the natural but in the spirit as well. It was very eye opening. You know the old adage “sticks and stone may break my bones but names will never hurt me.” That one is way off if you haven’t figured that one out yet.
I’ve been really reminded of it lately with our children as we are training them on how to use words to “speak life” into people. How we use God’s name with respect and love and how we can hurt people with our words if we are not careful. We’ve just been going through the Ten Commandments and when we got to the not killing part, I shared how Jesus said that even saying something hurtful is like killing someone so to not even do that.
Foster challenged me in his book “The Spirit of the Disciplines” to do something called “passing the peace”. It is a Quaker practice that suggests that you shouldn’t wait until someone is dead to say what you love about them or what they encourage you in. Do it now while they are living. Speak life into them and tell them all the good you see in them, despite any known flaws. It is so healing and life giving. I just had someone give me a call a few days ago and say they bought me something. I was interested to know what it was. They said “I bought you amberbishop.com now go and develop it. I believe in you.” I think that was one of the most encouraging things someone has done for me. I haven’t done anything with it yet (though I will), but it sparked my imagination. It said I can do something splendid in this world that is a unique expression of God through me other then my marriage or our kids. Oh, you mean I am someone other than a wife and a mother. I forgot there was a part of me that was just me and that God wants to see it sparkle, so that the wife and mother part of me sparkle more.
Anyway, those are my thoughts for the day...so go tell someone what you love about them.
And do it NOW!
I’ve been really reminded of it lately with our children as we are training them on how to use words to “speak life” into people. How we use God’s name with respect and love and how we can hurt people with our words if we are not careful. We’ve just been going through the Ten Commandments and when we got to the not killing part, I shared how Jesus said that even saying something hurtful is like killing someone so to not even do that.
Foster challenged me in his book “The Spirit of the Disciplines” to do something called “passing the peace”. It is a Quaker practice that suggests that you shouldn’t wait until someone is dead to say what you love about them or what they encourage you in. Do it now while they are living. Speak life into them and tell them all the good you see in them, despite any known flaws. It is so healing and life giving. I just had someone give me a call a few days ago and say they bought me something. I was interested to know what it was. They said “I bought you amberbishop.com now go and develop it. I believe in you.” I think that was one of the most encouraging things someone has done for me. I haven’t done anything with it yet (though I will), but it sparked my imagination. It said I can do something splendid in this world that is a unique expression of God through me other then my marriage or our kids. Oh, you mean I am someone other than a wife and a mother. I forgot there was a part of me that was just me and that God wants to see it sparkle, so that the wife and mother part of me sparkle more.
Anyway, those are my thoughts for the day...so go tell someone what you love about them.
And do it NOW!
posted by Amber Bishop at 7:45 PM
4 Comments:
i love you girl!
Very true and well stated. I have heard that science cannot track where a word actually stops once it is said. In other words, the sound waves go on and on and science cannot determine where they stop or if they stop. So, when Christ said "what you whisper in secret will be shouted from rooftops" has a new meaning for us and the strength of our words once spoken. Peace to you.
thanks for the peace-giving words amber, i so appreciate you and mike and the many words that you have shared just through this blog.
ok, i'm off to instill some life-giving words...
peace
soul food
passing His peace around
with life-giving words on our lips
investment in life profound
as we lift up but never eclipse
such words feed our basic need
for love and grace and hope
not like some empty creed
for which mindless we grope
no, intimate words with a smile
can feed a thirsty soul
with eyes that speak no guile
and make our bodies whole
so pass on His peace even further
as through this life you walk
they can be like a strong grace-filled anchor
and His Love in a heart unlock
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