Dear Rose Park,
Last week Wednesday I went to visit Jack and Carlene Hartman for coffee. It was so good to see them and catch up; I passed along your prayers and well-wishes. I know Carlene appreciates your thoughtfulness very much. As I was leaving, I noticed an award on Jack’s bookshelf. I inquired about the award and Jack, in a very humble tone, said he was given the award for the being the oldest beekeeper in the state of Michigan. After congratulating him, he offered me a jar of honey for my walk back to church.
As I walked south on Mary Avenue back to church I was reminded of the power of words. The bible has a lot to say about our words and how we use them, particularly the book of Proverbs. In his wisdom, Solomon tells us that the tongue has the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21), deceitful words can crush a spirit (Proverbs 15:4), and kind words are like honey - sweet to the soul and healthy to the body (Proverbs 16:24). In other words, our words can cut deep like a knife and they can also be like a healing balm, it just depends on how we use them. These words came to fruition the very next day.
On Thursday, Sam and I took our two kids to a local high school football game. It was a beautiful night and it was a great opportunity to be in the community. As we sat in the stands however, some of the words we heard were anything but honey. It was a bit disheartening to be honest to hear some of the words and phrases adults were using either towards a child, a coach, or official. I started to think about the damage that is done when we use our words carelessly. I started to think about how communities are shaped for better or worse when they adopt a common language. I started to think about how the next generation is not only watching but also listening far more than we realize.
At Rose Park we desire to connect, empower, and reconcile. We do these items best when our words and actions are in alignment the good news of Jesus. So, perhaps the next time you speak to your spouse, answer the phone, have chit-chat with the cashier, meet with a friend, comfort a sick child, or even cheer at a local football game I hope and pray that the words you use are words of hope, healing, and honey.
Grace & Peace,
Pastor Mark
Photo by leandro fregoni on Unsplash