Daily Bread #13
Thought To Ponder:
Every now and then I run across an old story that really inspires and encourages me. The following definitely qualifies. I’ve forgotten who the author is and I can’t find on the internet. But, I remember telling this story and imagining the lives of these young men that were changed and shaped by such a simple phrase. We are talking this week about the power of our words, their ability to create worlds, and how to keep a reign on our tongue. This story reminds me that you don’t an abundance of words to make a great impact. I hope you enjoy.
“There was a man who lived on the street where I grew up. His name was Mr. Hall. He was a big man, tall, broad shouldered and big boned. He had experienced a stroke early on in adulthood, so he walked with a great deal of difficulty. He always used a cane, placing it at a certain angle so he could lean on it heavily. He had one arm that swung at the side of his body, absolutely useless. His speech was affected by his stroke as well. In fact, in all the years I knew him, I only heard him speak two phrases, “Hot” (I grew up in Phoenix, so you can understand that one), and, “Pretty good,” which really reflected his character, his nature. You would be outside either working in the yard or playing, and all of a sudden you would hear this deep resonate voice, “Hot! Hot!” You would turn around, and there would be Mr. Hall walking down the street, shuffling along ever so slowly. “Oh, hello Mr. Hall. How are you doing?” “Pretty good. Pretty good.”
You could ask some other questions, you could make some other comments, and he would either nod his head or shake it, but any other words were very limited. It was either “Hot,” or “Pretty good.”
One day some of my young colleagues and I decided we were going to take a bicycle ride down to a gathering place at the other end of the street. Mr. Hall walked constantly, either up and down the street, or up and down the alleys behind the houses. We took off on our bicycles and went around the corner into the alley. We had to slam on our brakes because Mr. Hall had fallen in the alley. We jumped off our bikes and surrounded him. We stared at him, and at each other, not knowing really what to do. Somebody finally said, “Mr. Hall, are you okay? Are you hurt?” He didn’t say a word. We finally decided we were going to try and prop him up ourselves, and get him up on his feet. It was quite an effort, a lot of grunting, and groaning, and pulling, and tugging, and pushing, and leveraging. Finally, we got him upright. We were all standing really close, trying to get him balanced. We were like a bunch of lean-tos around a central structure, holding it in place. Finally, somebody said, “Mr. Hall, do you think you can stand by yourself?” No answer still. So very slowly we began to move back a little bit. If he had toppled over he would have killed anybody he landed on, he was so big. But he didn’t. He stood there. Finally, somebody said, “Are you okay now, Mr. Hall?” We looked at him, and there were tears just streaming down his face. He balanced himself, picked up that cane, and began to point at us, one by one, and he said, “Pretty good. Pretty good. Pretty good.”
-author unknown
Questions To Discuss:
- What’s the most encouraging thing someone has ever said to you?
- What kind of words do you like to hear when someone encourages you? Do you prefer to hear it face to face, in a letter, or a text/email message?
- What are some scriptures that encourage you?
- In what situations do you find it hard to hold your tongue?
- Why do you think James says the tongue is so powerful and even destructive?
- Do you remember an instance when someone’s words were destructive? How do repair the damage done by words that have been spoken?
- What are some ways you discipline yourself to use kind, loving, and encouraging words?
A Scripture To Read:
Psalm 19:7-14
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the Lord are right,
giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant,
giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm,
and all of them are righteous.
10 They are more precious than gold,
than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey,
than honey from the honeycomb.
11 By them your servant is warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins;
may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless,
innocent of great transgression.
14 May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight,
Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Prayer For Change:
Lord,
Set a guard around my mouth
Let the words I say overflow from
A heart full of you
Let me not speak out of ignorance
But let my words be seasoned with salt
The salt that comes from your Word
Let me not curse my friends and neighbors
Remembering that they are also
Made in your image and bear your likeness
Give me ears to hear what You are saying
A heart ready to receive
And a mouth ready to repeat
Don’t let any unwholesome talk
come out of my mouth
But only what is helpful for building others up
Most of all let me never stop
Giving You praise
For You and You alone are worthy
In Jesus name,
Amen