Words

        Words are interesting.  Sometimes, I’ll see a word in print and think “so that’s how it’s spelled”.  Words like “rigmarole”, “vying”, “adieu”, “tantamount”.  I still remember, as a little girl, when I asked how to spell “safternoon” and learned it was two words…this afternoon!  Another time, in an Amish gift shop, I laughed when I saw the word “Quityerbellyachin” embroidered on a pillow.  I had a student one year who was not familiar with the vocabulary word “hymn”.  “What does it mean?” he asked.  I replied, “It’s a song we sing in church.”  He said, “Hum a little of it!”

          A few years ago, I traveled alone back to Tokyo, Japan where I’d lived for ten years with my missionary parents.  I planned to stay with my “Japanese son”, Satoshi, who had lived with us in the states for one year, as an exchange student, when he was  sixteen.  Now married, with a new baby daughter, he had written out in Japanese who he was and his contact information in the event that I would need any assistance getting to his house from Narita Airport.  I didn’t have any trouble until I arrived at a station where I needed to transfer trains and purchase another ticket.  It was after 9:00 pm and the ticket windows were closed.  My option was to buy a ticket from the vending machines but I couldn’t read the Japanese to do that.  I still marvel that the Japanese words, “Sumimasen, Tasukete kudasai” (I’m sorry, please give me some help) came to mind, as I looked for a friendly face.  I hadn’t thought of those words for literally 50 years!  A kind Japanese student read “Toshi’s” note and bought a ticket for me from the change I held in my hand.

          The Bible tells us “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.” “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory” (John 1:1, 14).  Recently, our minister was preaching on the time when Jesus and the disciples were on the Sea of Galilee in a boat, and a fierce storm arose.  Jesus was sleeping, but the disciples were fearful.  The winds were of hurricane force; the Greek word for hurricane is “lailaps”, certainly cause for alarm.  We know that Jesus, however, was not concerned and was able to calm the storm with just the words, “Quiet, be still”.

          Our words can be encouraging and lift others up, or our words can be hurtful.  Once a word is spoken, it can never be taken back, and also sadly, is often never forgotten.  Isn’t it sobering that years after a conversation, unkind and harsh words can be remembered verbatim?  It is so important, then, to choose our words carefully. “Sticks and stones can break my bones” and words can, indeed, hurt me!

          The Bible has much to say about our words.  “For every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.  For by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36, 37).  “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).  “Your Word have I hidden in my heart that I might not sin against God” (Psalm 119:11).  Yes, God’s Word “is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path” (Psalm 119:105).  “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one” (Colossians 4:6).  “For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit” (Hebrews 4:12).  “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away” (Matthew 24:35).  God’s words bring us love, joy, peace, comfort, encouragement, hope.  Praise Him!  Sometimes, when grief and pain are so burdensome that we cannot even find the words to pray, the Holy Spirit makes sense of our groanings and imparts the words to God.

          I have a newly rescued, little furbaby, Marley.  Imagine my dismay when the Japanese words “Chotto matte” (wait a minute) recently came out of my mouth as she eagerly pulled me out of the door for a walk!  Where do these words come from so many years after I have spoken them? 

          My earnest prayer is “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart by acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).