Speech

The gift of words

I don't often consider enough what a gift it is to be able to speak. Not only to speak, but to be able to put my words down for other people to read. It's a gift, but it is also a responsibility.

The words I put out into the world can do many things. They can encourage, build up, support, love.

But they can also destroy. They can break down, hurt, cause pain, heartache and push people apart.

A word can send soldiers to war. Words can stop wars.

Frederich Buechner says "“Words are power, essentially the power of creation.”

God spoke and creation came into being.

The phrase "Sticks and stones my break my bones, but words will never hurt me," a taunt I used on the playground when someone said something unkind, is, in fact, not true. I often said these words through tears caused by the very words I declared did not hurt me.

If I allow myself I can think not only of words that have hurt me, but words I have said that have hurt someone else.

This quote, to me, is a reminder to use my words wisely, stewardly, lovingly and carefully.