Words

Pardon me! What did you say? Say again. What?

We are all interested in hearing accurately and clearly. While there are all kinds of obstacles to the hearing process, the one obstacle that is most difficult to accept is a personal hearing loss. I have it and the hearing instruments assist me in powerful ways. In fact, these “aids” are so strong that there are those around me who caution others with these words: “Be careful what you say, Neil can hear you.” Then there are other obstacles to deal with too: 1) Ambient noise in the room; 2) Multiple voices all talking at the same time;3) My own interest or lack of interest; 4) Inattention – simply not listening. (This includes my own preoccupation with my cellphone, messages, email notifications, reminders, etc.) I need to remember that my cell phone is for my convenience and not for other’s expediency. 5) Attitude. Isn’t that simple? I need to deal with my own attitude about listening at all. Usually hearing provokes or at least awaits some kind of a verbal response from me.

So then, there are words. They are the pictures in my brain that produce articulation in my mouth to convey meaning for the listening. My business is words. The use of words verbally has been a part of 57 years of preaching and ministry. Words have meaning and sometimes words evolve to mean something that I do not intend. It is the challenge of every speaker. Then the practical test comes. Do my actions match my words? Do I practice what I say? Can others depend on what I say to be carried out to completion? Is my word good? Does my “yes” mean yes? Does my “no” mean no? Or, is my life all talk and no action? I cannot just hope that others will see my example either. The words of truth have to be spoken and lived because they are tied together.

Today, I will use words to speak the truth. That truth can be carefully shaped or brutally delivered. Truth may have so much fact that it might be boring. It also could have so much nonsense that it may be unbelievable. The terms I use may be kind and gracious or unkind and judgmental. My words are important to me and to my hearers. The Bible reminds me that my tongue can get me into lots of trouble, when it is out of control. Often the words show up in overt action that does no one any good. (I have discovered that “eating crow” isn’t very pleasant, no matter how it gets served.) It just may be that I ought to practice this prayerful request more regularly: “Lord help my words to be tender and gracious today, for tomorrow I may have to eat them.”