This is an In Other Words repost from January 17, 2006
I had scheduled this to go up early Tuesday morning,
but must’ve not actually clicked the “publish” button.
So it is going up late Tuesday night . . . you are still welcome to join in!
“Let us learn to discern whether the words spoken against us or against God or against the truth are merely for the wind – spoken not from the soul, but from the sore. If they are for the wind, let us wait in silence and not reprove. Restoring the soul, not reproving the sore, is the aim of our love.”
By John Piper in “A Godward Life“
T
he old childhood saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me” certainly is not true. I am sure many of us remember things that still sting from our childhoods or in recent years that crushed to the depths of our hearts. And, I know I have been guilty of saying things that bitterly stung, if not immediately, soon afterwards, wished I could take back.
For a good 18 months after our son’s death, not only did I not deal well with relationships, especially with my husband, but other relationships suffered as well. Friends and family alike were at a loss with what to do and/or say, and words were said that hurt. Words that came from deep wounds, not truth from the soul. Protective gear was on, and the words bounced back and forth quicker than at a volleyball tournament. Time . . . and restoring the soul was certainly needed for healing words to take root, rather than the hurtful words blowing in the wind.
This week’s quote came from John Piper’s book, “A Godward Life
“When in grief and pain and despair, people often say things they would not otherwise say. They paint reality with darker strokes than they will paint it tomorrow, when the sun comes up. They sing in minor keys and talk as though that were the only music. They see only clouds and speak as if there were no sky.”
When hurtful words are said from a discouraged, distraught one, the first instinct may be to correct, or give Scripture verses, rather than listening to the hurting heart spill out. The truth may be known, and how “all things work together for good to them that love God”, yet, it’s just probably not the right time to quote that when the soul needs healing. Job understood this:
“How painful are honest words! But what does your argument prove? Do you intend to reprove my words, when the words of one in despair belong to the wind?” Job 6:25, 26
For this week’s In Other Words, we are sharing a favorite PAST In ‘Other’ Words post OR favorite quote. Share yours ~ either on your blog and share link in comments or just share your favorite in the comment section if you do not wish to blog about it.
These past few days she’s been packing up a lot of her things. It brought tears to my eyes when I saw numerous boxes stacked in the hall outside her bedroom, with a stuffed animal on the top. Two of our boys moved out awhile ago, but it was different. They were gone a lot already. And, there’s just a little bit more with protecting and guiding a daughter. And her fiance has spent a lot of time here with our family, like our son spent a lot of time with his now wife’s family during their dating time. And soon, it will change, and she will be gone . . . and five months later her twin sister too. It’s a bittersweet time. It’s what we brought them up for - this goal to first have a love for God, and then find a godly husband and really, so much more could have happened and more wayward ways than the drama and stresses we’ve endured the last few months as we’ve gotten to these last days before the wedding. My heart is thrilled for her, but kinda sad too.
The giveaway for this 
