We've been talking again at karate about nail holes.
The nail hole story illustrates beautifully the power of words and their lingering effects. The word, when spoken leaves a mark, as the nail does after it's pounded into the wood. Even sincere apologies, which may have the power to remove the nail from the wood still leave a mark - a permanent indentation where they landed.
Driving home, I began thinking of the nails that have been sent my direction. Yes, I'm sure I have fired some off myself, and this illustration has renewed my resound to use my words wisely, but this night I was thinking of those coming toward me.
Some have been single shots, others have felt like they were being fired repeatedly from multi-loaded nail guns. Others feel like they have been pounded again and again, over and over, and have been deeply embedded
I wonder what my heart really looks like from this perspective. I am sure there are marks in various stages of healing. Some, I am sure have healed over pretty nicely, and others have left some lingering scars. I wonder how many nails remain, and how many are there that I haven't fully acknowledged, or have more healing to go that I am not aware of.
I then began to think about the healing process. Our instructor mentioned people trying to fix them with drugs and alcohol (and I would add a list of other addictive behaviors!). I would dare say those are anesthetics rather than cures. The problem is that anesthesia doesn't heal, but actually delays healing, as well as create a whole host of other problems.
Ignoring the wounds doesn't heal them, nor does picking at them repeatedly.
Time helps. Acknowledging their existence helps, and for me, some tears help.
But, I really don't think that *I* can heal my nail holes.....
Fortunately....
God can.
Showing posts with label power of words. Show all posts
Showing posts with label power of words. Show all posts
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Inspiration
Inspiration comes from the most interesting places sometimes... and sometimes I learn the most interesting things...
For example: I was riding around with a woman this past Friday. We got out of her car, and as she clicked her remote to lock her car, she asked if my van had keyless entry. "Yes," I said, "but it doesn't work..." "You should see what it costs to fix it...." she said, casually.
When mine quit working, I decided I could do without the luxury of keyless entry. I figured it would be as outrageously expensive to fix as the automatic pull doors had been when one of them quit working. I'd hoped it was the battery, but when I finally got around to replacing it, it didn't work.
I chalked it up to something I'd deal with for a while... And I did.
But, after she mentioned, it, I got curious to see exactly HOW outrageously expensive it would be to fix.
I searched online, and found a new remote for $40 and change.... fully programmable to my minivan. So, I searched for programming directions.... AND .... FOUND.... OUT.....
If the battery has been dead for a while - which it had - once the new battery is put in, it needs to be reprogrammed... and "This is how...."
Five minutes later, I once again have keyless entry!
Thank you God for her innocent comment.... my willingness to listen, and a spare few minutes at work where I could search for the information!
For example: I was riding around with a woman this past Friday. We got out of her car, and as she clicked her remote to lock her car, she asked if my van had keyless entry. "Yes," I said, "but it doesn't work..." "You should see what it costs to fix it...." she said, casually.
When mine quit working, I decided I could do without the luxury of keyless entry. I figured it would be as outrageously expensive to fix as the automatic pull doors had been when one of them quit working. I'd hoped it was the battery, but when I finally got around to replacing it, it didn't work.
I chalked it up to something I'd deal with for a while... And I did.
But, after she mentioned, it, I got curious to see exactly HOW outrageously expensive it would be to fix.
I searched online, and found a new remote for $40 and change.... fully programmable to my minivan. So, I searched for programming directions.... AND .... FOUND.... OUT.....
If the battery has been dead for a while - which it had - once the new battery is put in, it needs to be reprogrammed... and "This is how...."
Five minutes later, I once again have keyless entry!
Thank you God for her innocent comment.... my willingness to listen, and a spare few minutes at work where I could search for the information!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Word of God Speak
I have got to tell you... I can barely contain myself as I sit to write this.
Wednesday evening, I spent with my interpreting mentor. We were going over scripture for the service coming up this week. Specifically, Matthew 11:28-30. It's a well-known couple of verses:
"28Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
It's beautiful in English. But, the problem then becomes, how do you SHOW it in American Sign Language. What does it MEAN? We had several translations of the bible out on the table, and were reading each one and discussing it.
When I got home, I continued the investigation - primarily for the word "yoke". I understand the whole "binding together two oxen with a wooden neck-harness, to enable them to do together the work that can't be done alone", but - do I really want to SHOW a wooden neck harness? Me and Jesus - harnessed neck to neck? No, I don't think so...
Long story a little shorter, it was very late (or very early, depending on your perspective) when I went to bed... but I had a thirst to dig a little deeper and understand a little more. One of the last things I said in an email just before I crawled into bed was "How I got here (in my spiritual journey) is a mystery to me".
I woke up Thursday morning, pretty exhausted but with a sense that "OK, here we go again. God and me in a little one-on-one, in-depth instruction time". In other words, the reprieve I have had from His active "stalking" is done. It's time to get back to work. Oh boy. Here we go. Hold on!
Thursday evening, I was due to go to a meeting - and had planned a little "mental health time", which means I had scheduled the sitter for a few extra hours, so I'd get a little breather from the responsibilities of motherhood.
The meeting was (unbeknown to me) canceled, so I had yet a little more time. I wished the beautiful spring weather we'd recently experienced had continued, but no, it was snowing. If it were warm, I'd have gone to the church to sit beneath the beautiful stand of oak trees and continue my bible investigation. (I had brought my three translations, and my current study book to pass some time)
With no other viable options of where to hang out with three open bibles, I decided to head to the church anyhow. It is really convenient, as it is less than a mile from my home. It is peaceful, and the grounds are beautiful. But, the car would be cold - I'd have to run the engine from time to time for heat.
As I pulled into the driveway - lights. "YES!!" I cried aloud! "Band rehearsal!" I'd forgotten. I gathered my bibles, study guide, unsweet tea and headed to the classroom where I'd been the night before.
I could hear the band as they practiced the songs we will sing on Sunday. As I lay my bibles out on the table, I thought, "Hmmm... maybe this would be a good time to transcribe the notes I'd written in my older bible, into my newer one". So, that was the task at hand.
Flipping through Genesis, Exodus, I underlined in the new what I had highlighted in the old. I transferred dates and notes I'd inscribed. Not too far into it, I noticed a theme. I wondered how many times I had underlined the phrase "Do not be afraid". A LOT.
The next phrase I came upon was Joshua 1:5 - "I will not fail or abandon you" OK. Got my attention! I continued to underline, copy, and transcribe. The verses that really struck me in my core, I also copied onto the sheet of notebook paper beside me.
Next for the paper: Micah 7:7 - "But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will certainly hear me" There lies my appropriate response. I will look and I will wait. My God WILL hear me.
I made it through the Old Testament and into the New. When I hit Matthew 13:11, I put my New Living Translation aside and pulled out the old King James Teaching bible I was given over a decade ago. The NLT had used the word "secrets" (of the Kingdom of Heaven). The KJ used the word "mysteries".
I came full circle to my statement from the night before - "a mystery to me". The foot note defined 'mystery' to mean "a purpose or plan hidden in the heart of God until the appointed time of Divine disclosure to man".
And that is when I knew. "Word of God Speak" - Not just an upcoming song to review for Sunday, but a plan for the evening.
"But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will certainly hear me." And He will speak.
Wednesday evening, I spent with my interpreting mentor. We were going over scripture for the service coming up this week. Specifically, Matthew 11:28-30. It's a well-known couple of verses:
"28Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
It's beautiful in English. But, the problem then becomes, how do you SHOW it in American Sign Language. What does it MEAN? We had several translations of the bible out on the table, and were reading each one and discussing it.
When I got home, I continued the investigation - primarily for the word "yoke". I understand the whole "binding together two oxen with a wooden neck-harness, to enable them to do together the work that can't be done alone", but - do I really want to SHOW a wooden neck harness? Me and Jesus - harnessed neck to neck? No, I don't think so...
Long story a little shorter, it was very late (or very early, depending on your perspective) when I went to bed... but I had a thirst to dig a little deeper and understand a little more. One of the last things I said in an email just before I crawled into bed was "How I got here (in my spiritual journey) is a mystery to me".
I woke up Thursday morning, pretty exhausted but with a sense that "OK, here we go again. God and me in a little one-on-one, in-depth instruction time". In other words, the reprieve I have had from His active "stalking" is done. It's time to get back to work. Oh boy. Here we go. Hold on!
Thursday evening, I was due to go to a meeting - and had planned a little "mental health time", which means I had scheduled the sitter for a few extra hours, so I'd get a little breather from the responsibilities of motherhood.
The meeting was (unbeknown to me) canceled, so I had yet a little more time. I wished the beautiful spring weather we'd recently experienced had continued, but no, it was snowing. If it were warm, I'd have gone to the church to sit beneath the beautiful stand of oak trees and continue my bible investigation. (I had brought my three translations, and my current study book to pass some time)
With no other viable options of where to hang out with three open bibles, I decided to head to the church anyhow. It is really convenient, as it is less than a mile from my home. It is peaceful, and the grounds are beautiful. But, the car would be cold - I'd have to run the engine from time to time for heat.
As I pulled into the driveway - lights. "YES!!" I cried aloud! "Band rehearsal!" I'd forgotten. I gathered my bibles, study guide, unsweet tea and headed to the classroom where I'd been the night before.
I could hear the band as they practiced the songs we will sing on Sunday. As I lay my bibles out on the table, I thought, "Hmmm... maybe this would be a good time to transcribe the notes I'd written in my older bible, into my newer one". So, that was the task at hand.
Flipping through Genesis, Exodus, I underlined in the new what I had highlighted in the old. I transferred dates and notes I'd inscribed. Not too far into it, I noticed a theme. I wondered how many times I had underlined the phrase "Do not be afraid". A LOT.
The next phrase I came upon was Joshua 1:5 - "I will not fail or abandon you" OK. Got my attention! I continued to underline, copy, and transcribe. The verses that really struck me in my core, I also copied onto the sheet of notebook paper beside me.
Next for the paper: Micah 7:7 - "But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will certainly hear me" There lies my appropriate response. I will look and I will wait. My God WILL hear me.
I made it through the Old Testament and into the New. When I hit Matthew 13:11, I put my New Living Translation aside and pulled out the old King James Teaching bible I was given over a decade ago. The NLT had used the word "secrets" (of the Kingdom of Heaven). The KJ used the word "mysteries".
I came full circle to my statement from the night before - "a mystery to me". The foot note defined 'mystery' to mean "a purpose or plan hidden in the heart of God until the appointed time of Divine disclosure to man".
And that is when I knew. "Word of God Speak" - Not just an upcoming song to review for Sunday, but a plan for the evening.
"But as for me, I will look to the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will certainly hear me." And He will speak.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Message Ministry?
It's interesting how things develop.... especially when * I * don't do it... intentionally, anyways...I didn't realize what WAS happening until the other day when I was discussing feeling like I was 'dodging arrows' with a friend of mine.
"Of course you are!" she said, "your friend was meant to feel like she was all alone, and you ruined that plan when you came up beside her and loved her". And when I thought about it. I had.
It started about a week ago - my friend was having a really hard day. I sent her a text message letting her know that I was thinking of her, praying for her, and that she was loved. And then, the next day..., I did the same thing. And the next.... Every day, as I sat and lifted her up in prayer, I sent her a text. In a nutshell - "I'm here. I love you. I'm not going away."
A few days later, another friend of mine left for a mission trip in Panama City Beach, Florida. It's called Beach Reach. Sounds like a dream, huh? A week of witnessing in sunny Florida. But, uhm, not so much... apparently, the college kids there for much spring break partying, aren't so interested in hearing what they have to say. It's been described as "dark" and "really hard". So... I texted her. Just to let her know I was thinking about her and praying for her. You are not alone in this. I am with you (in spirit). I love you.
Then, another friend... sick. I've sent her messages day to day, let her know I'm thinking of her and hoping she's feeling better. (yes, she is.)
And, you KNOW there was yet another - "Hold tight to God..." I sent.
It's taken just a minute of my time, but, it's been time well-spent. I truly believe in the power of words. I believe in the power of reaching out past our selves. I believe in telling those that I love that I do, and I believe in expressing gratitude. As often as I can.
"Thank you" and "I love you". Five little words. In the texting world, a total of nine and ten characters respectively. But they are a powerful combination of letters! I do believe they contain great healing.
"I'm here"
"You're not alone"
"I love you"
"I appreciate you"
"I'm glad you're my friend" (or "my boy" or "my girl")
"You are special to me"
"Awesome!"
It only takes a second....
Take a second...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)