A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver." These words come from the Bible, Proverb 25:11. Have you considered the power of words? Do they encourage or discourage, build up or tear down? Dr. Paul Ferris shares the following story: "As a boy, I remember hearing the Jewish folktale of a man who went through a small community slandering the rabbi. One day, feeling suddenly remorseful, he begged the rabbi's forgiveness and offered to undergo any form of penance the rabbi thought suitable. 'Go home,' the rabbi told him, 'find a feather pillow, cut it open, and scatter the feathers to the wind.' Quickly the man did so and returned to the rabbi. 'Am I now forgiven?' he asked. 'Almost.' came the response. 'Just as soon as you gather all the feathers.'
Scripture compares the tongue to an arrow. Once an arrow is shot, it cannot be returned. Words can be weapons. Words can be medicine. Words have the power to change lives, to lift spirits, to renew relationships, and build bridges. But, as each of us knows firsthand, words can just as quickly tear those bridges down."
There was a fire in the big city, and the firemen flung their ladders together, and went up in their brave fashion to the very topmost story to rescue the people in peril. One after another was rescued by the brave firemen. All had been rescued, it seemed. No! Yonder is a white face at that upper window. They wrapped something about one of their firemen, and, breasting the fierce flames, he went again to that window, and put a robe around the little woman and started down. Then they saw him tremble as the fire raged around him, and it seemed that he would fall with his precious burden, but the fire chief cried to his men: "Cheer him, boys! Cheer him, boys!" And they cheered him, cheer after cheer, and heart came back, and he came down, with the precious life saved!
Choose your words carefully. Cheer people on.
Pastor John Giesbrecht
