It was finally summer, and I was ready to do the ritual again!
Clad in swimsuit, I retrieved the long-handled cleaning tool with the soapy pad attached, pulled out the hose with nozzle on “jet stream” and set up the aluminum ladder next to the house. Thanking the Lord for a nice hot day, I gingerly ascended to just below the top rung and pulled the trigger. A blast of water hit the top floor window, cascading down the siding with rivulets of dirty water. It felt good to wash the dirt and grime of winter off! That’s exactly what I need sometimes.
Maneuvering to balance the cleaning tool in one hand while draping the hose over the top of the ladder, I made large swipes up and down the window getting it good and soapy. Again, I rinsed the dirty lather off, but I needed to change my footing a bit to go up a little closer. Lifting my right foot, I immediately felt the ladder shift under my left foot pushing it out from the house and becoming off balance. Too late, I knew the terrible truth – I was going down! Funny how those things can go in slow motion and one’s thinking processes seem to slow down as well. I knew I was going to fall and wondered how bad it would be. The racket the ladder made hitting the deck and twisting under me scared me momentarily, then I fell on top of it, breaking my fall somewhat. Ouch! I felt the jab of a rung here and there on my ribcage, ankle, lower leg and thigh. But to my surprise with my husband's help I was able to get up and walk around afterwards without a broken bone! Thank God!
Ohhh, my relief was short-lived. Within a few hours, the various colors that appeared up and down my right side attested to the inward bruising that I had sustained. The fact that I could hardly stand or sit without groaning the following day caused me to realize the extent of my injury. It looked awful – I wouldn’t be able to wear a bathing suit for a few weeks, without questioning looks. I wouldn't do that to my husband! “They’ll think I beat you!” he said when he saw the black and blue marks.
It was easy enough to cover up! Sunday morning I washed and styled my hair, applied make-up, and donned white Capri’s with a cute top and jacket. Earrings and necklace; I was ready. No one saw the small dark bruise along the calf of my leg, or the nearly faded one on my ankle.
“You look pretty good!” an inward voice said. “No one would ever know what you’ve been through this week. Just smile!”
Wow, where did that come from?
“It’s true!” the voice continued. “Everyone that comes through those doors this morning will look pretty good; they’ll smile and do small talk. No one will see the hurts, bruises, and scars they carry; have carried for years, perhaps.”
I stopped with tears in my eyes and realized where that voice was coming from.
Thank you, Lord, for reminding me to be careful and gentle with people. I don’t know what they carry around with them – the scars and bruises that my eyes miss – but Yours do not! Help me be more sensitive, loving and kind – just like You are!
Monday, June 27, 2011
Thursday, February 17, 2011
JUST WORDS
Read Proverbs 16: 23-24
A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold
in settings of silver. – Proverbs 25:11 (NIV)
When I was little I often heard taunts of children on the playground “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.” Yet, sometimes words do hurt.
When Job’s three friends came to discuss why he was ill, they said he must have sinned to cause God to afflict him. But, God reproved them; “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has” (Job 42:7).
Words. What do they convey, hurt or healing? Building up, encouraging, or tearing down? Barbed, hurtful retorts can lacerate a heart and leave it bleeding and torn long after thoughtless words were spoken. But words of “I love you” or, “I believe in you” can carry a heavy heart through trying times. I recall reading The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom of the almost unbearable conditions she and her sister, Betsie, endured in the Ravensbruck Concentration camp. In spite of the horrific situation, they shared Jesus’ love with fellow prisoners. Many became Christians as a result. What words did they give that lifeless place? Surely they were God’s life giving words.
Thought for the Day
Words of understanding, compassion and encouragement might turn someone to the One who gives eternal life.
Prayer: Father, help me to be mindful of the power of words and to use them as Jesus did – to bind up the brokenhearted.
A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold
in settings of silver. – Proverbs 25:11 (NIV)
When I was little I often heard taunts of children on the playground “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never harm me.” Yet, sometimes words do hurt.
When Job’s three friends came to discuss why he was ill, they said he must have sinned to cause God to afflict him. But, God reproved them; “I am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has” (Job 42:7).
Words. What do they convey, hurt or healing? Building up, encouraging, or tearing down? Barbed, hurtful retorts can lacerate a heart and leave it bleeding and torn long after thoughtless words were spoken. But words of “I love you” or, “I believe in you” can carry a heavy heart through trying times. I recall reading The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom of the almost unbearable conditions she and her sister, Betsie, endured in the Ravensbruck Concentration camp. In spite of the horrific situation, they shared Jesus’ love with fellow prisoners. Many became Christians as a result. What words did they give that lifeless place? Surely they were God’s life giving words.
Thought for the Day
Words of understanding, compassion and encouragement might turn someone to the One who gives eternal life.
Prayer: Father, help me to be mindful of the power of words and to use them as Jesus did – to bind up the brokenhearted.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
