February 21, 2016

“Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Proverbs 16:24 (NASB)

Recovering from bone surgery is definitely not for sissies. I know up close and personal. You never think about your bones until you break one. In the space of 6 months I have broken my left pinkie finger, 2 toes (one in half) and had my right knee replaced. Knee replacement is (if you are squemish close your eyes now - wait you won’t be able to read this)  basically amputating your leg and putting it back together. Recovery is slow and painful but it’s all totally worth it for the amazing knee you get! Doubling up on my calcium was in order and, young ladies, it’s good advice for you too. 

We don’t usually feel our bones. They are buried under muscle and tissue. When the Psalmist said in Psalm 22 he could count his bones he was in bad shape. Could you count yours? 

  

I get such relief from the phrase “healing to the bones”. Ponder those words.  Words can heal. Words can also hurt and break the spirit. Who ever said “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” apparently had never been called stupid or fat or useless. That phrase is a lie from the pit of hell for sure! Mean girls, bullies, loud mouth, is that the legacy you choose? There is nothing more powerful than speaking healing over a person who has been wounded by words. 

The bible has a lot to say about the power of the tongue for good and for bad. Over 100 verses in the book of Proverbs tell us how the tongue can be used for good or bad. Many times I wish I could have pulled the words back in immediately after I’d said them like a fisherman reeling in his fish! Once they are out of your mouth and touch the receiver’s ears it’s too late. 

   
I was at my daughter’s soccer game when she was 6. She was playing with all her heart and the teenage referee was making some bad calls. You could tell he was inexperienced and learning. We moms were sitting on the sidelines cheering on our little bumble bees. These kids were 6 not professional A-1 players but that is hard to remember when your little player is out there sweating and panting and fouls are being called on her that are clearly wrong. Other parents had already hurled insults at the young ref but he stood his ground. I said in a clear distinct voice “they shouldn’t have a kid trying to ref this game he needs to go back and get some ref lessons. He’s terrible!” Well that was it. The straw that broke the camel’s back. The woman sitting directly in front of me turned around and looked me square in the eyes with tears and a quivering voice said “that referee is my son and he is doing his best. He’s only 14 give him a break.” Well I could have just died! I remember the face of that precious mom to this day 34 years later that’s how mortified I was. I apologized but it was too late. She picked up her chair and moved far down the field from all of we cackling vultures picking her poor son apart. That young man was referee at my daughter’s next game and you’d better believe I didn’t say a word. I saw his mom and smiled but she walked right past me. I have prayed for forgiveness over the years and longed to have those words taken back.  I wanted to reel my words back in!

  
Words can heal words can hurt words can break a spirit. Be known for your tender words, your sweet speech. That is a legacy worth leaving. Be a blessing to someone today. Someone needs healing to their bones this minute. You be the one. Say thank you to the grocery clerk or the pharmacy assistant. Thank your barista for getting your order right. Send a note of praise to your child’s teacher or coach. Leave a powerful word on your supervisor’s  desk. We all need encouragement. You be the one! Be the one they will remember for good. Be the honeycomb that brings those dry bones some much needed healing.