At night, when it is very
quiet, my ears hum. I like to think that
reverberating in my ears is an echo from all of the day’s activities. The ghosts of all those words buzz with such
force I think I can even feel a vibration.
If you think about it, we are
bombarded by words all day long: Our
eyes run over letters and commas and periods and sentences from morning until
night; our fingers pen or type words for work or just to leave a note for a loved
one; we hear snippets of conversations by those around us, by people we don’t
know; we speak with strangers and friends and acquaintances; some of us even
talk in our sleep! We release and receive
probably thousands of words (if not more) each day. What do all those words add up to, I wonder?
Today a student who just
graduated from the school where I teach gave me a letter. At the end of each school year, part of my
freshmen final requires my students to write a letter to themselves. They show me the letter, which I just check
for the required length, then they seal it inside an envelope, affix a stamp in
the upper right corner, and wait for a year and a half for that letter to reach
them. This has been a wildly
well-received exercise, and when the juniors receive a missive from them former
selves, they often are surprised and amused with the person they
encounter. They see their freshman
handwriting, hear the angst in their freshman words, and reflect upon how far
they have come. It turns out that one of
my students included a letter to me
in her envelope, and she saved it for after she graduated. Today I received the kindest words written
four years ago, words that encouraged me and nourished my soul. Those words, written on college ruled paper with
a standard number two pencil, carried immense power, grace, and kindness. Those words penetrated into my heart and
built me up. I will cherish her words
and will keep that letter forever, because those words breathed life and joy and
meaning into my spirit.
How is it that letters
connected into words that are connected into phrases and sentences and thoughts
can penetrate into one’s soul? How can mere
words have so much impact in a person’s life?
We should be very careful
with our words.
In a single word we can build
someone up or tear someone down. With a
handful of words we can steal or instill hope.
Words can bring life or take life, connect or destroy hearts, bring
laughter or tears. We carry with us the
words of those we love even after those loved ones are gone. Words can lead others on a pathway of healing
or a road to destruction. Careless words
spoken in haste can live on forever, released into the air like angry wasps
waiting to sting. Kind words spoken in
truth and love can act like guiding stars for years to come.
In the Bible there are over
130 mentions of the tongue. Repeatedly
the Bible describes the tongue as “restless,” “untamable,” “a fire,” and a bow
waiting to fling an arrow, or a sharp sword.
With words the tongue can wound.
The tongue can mislead. The
tongue can instill fear. The tongue can
destroy. But according to Proverbs 12
the tongue can also bring healing. Using
thoughtful words the tongue can build up.
The tongue can bring knowledge and healing. Proverbs 15 says that a gentle tongue is a “tree
of life.” Proverbs 18 says that “death
and life are in the power of the tongue.”
A happy tongue sings. A wise
tongue instructs. A kind tongue edifies.
It is easy to forget the
power that we carry within our words.
Words live on even after they
are spoken, and they buzz and hum in our ears, rattle around in our brains, and
settle into our hearts.
What words do you allow into
your life? Silence those voices that
only wound you with words. Shut the door
to them. Don’t let destructive people
harm you with their careless words.
What words do you release
into the world? May they be words that
bring life and hope and healing.
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