Words

Tonight, I don't have much to say.

There are a lot of ideas on subjects to write about swimming around in my head, but none that have found purchase in my imagination beyond a couple of sentences.

So I thought I'd share with you a conversation I had today. A friend shared with me her concerns about her father's obesity. He's been told he'll never walk on his own again due to the degenerative changes in his bone structure, a direct result of his obesity.

I asked my friend if losing the weight, then getting a total knee replacement was a viable option to help him walk on his own again. She told me, that when they discussed that option with five different doctors, her family was told by each doctor they visited, that the doctor didn't believe her father would ever lose the weight thus it was a waste of the family's time to consider other options outside of confinement to a wheelchair.

I was stunned, even angered.

She further shared with me that these comments had caused her father to go into a deep depression which he medicated by eating...thus creating a vicious cycle.

As I listened, I thought about my words, the things I say to others on a daily basis. I'm no doctor, but I am ashamed to even try to count how many times my words alone have cost me friendships, opportunities, and have unintentionally maimed those that I love.

Doing a word search in my bible on the word 'tongue' numerous scriptures came up. Seems God understands that the tongue is difficult to tame. But the scripture that stuck with me was:

"Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing".*

So, that's my goal this week, to work to bring healing not wounds through my words.

If you happen to see me (or hear me) this week, feel free to hold me to task.

*Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)