Avalon Chronicles #87: "Words"
By Allen B. Clark
allenbclark@aol.com
www.combatfaith.com
www.combatfaith.blogspot.com
Throughout our lives words have had incredibly significant meanings and impact. We have been inspired by words spoken to us personally, words from pulpits, words sometimes even from political rhetoric, words we read, and words we hear from movies and television. But, the most memorable words have been those spoken to us or those we have spoken to others, sometimes in anger or bitterness. Some have lifted us up and, unfortunately, we recollect most vividly those that hurt us.
In our conversation today my dear wife Linda recalled at this exact time in 1994 when her husband, Jack Frost, was in the final days of his life., which ended on New Year's Eve 1994. He was visited by his minister, who suggested to him that in these final days of his life, that he tell Linda all the positive things he remembered and appreciated about her. That he did and Linda has kept those words close to her heart all these many years. We need not await our final days to accomplish this.
We probably recollect all the negative and cutting words spoken to us moreso than the positive ones. The negative and cutting ones stick with us and deeply affect us. We find it very challenging to forgive those, who spoke them, and we neglect speaking the positive ones to those, who mean something to us.
Many of us will be with family over the Advent season. This may be the special time to relate to those we love all the positive attributes and uplifting experiences we have shared. Also, it is a good time to express regrets and ask for forgiveness of those we have hurt.
Some relevant scriptures in the King James Version by Tyndale House in their Life Application Study Bible:
Matthew 24:35 in the words of Jesus, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away." Neither will ours!
James 3:6, "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell."
Footnote: "A few words spoken in anger can destroy a relationship that took years to build. Before you speak, remember that words are like fire-you can neither control nor reverse the damage they can do."
This a poem written by Linda.
ARE YOU SURE?
Are you sure you really want to say this to me?
Have you thought it over carefully?
Once your words have fallen on my ears,
I may carry their pain for years.
Are you sure? Are you sure?
Words pierce my heart like no other can.
Words are the greatest weapon known to man.
Beyond the grave, the echo of words remain;
They kill life or cause it to renew again.
Are you sure? Are you sure?
Will the cost to me be too great?
These words that you contemplate,
Tossing carelessly into my life
Bringing into my heart this strife.
Please reconsider your thoughts,
Perhaps some kindness can be brought.
Rather than pain, some encouragement
To give some vision to which I might aspire;
For virtue, set my heart ablaze with desire.
Help me lift from earth's weary realm,
With eagle's wings into the light.
Help me set my life aright
But don't bring into my heart the night.
