Monday, November 28, 2005

One Good Word

I like this poem. For one thing, it reminds me of how powerful something like a simple "thank you" can be, say, to an overworked waitress on any given Sunday after church. Many of our restaurants and businesses are still not up to speed on their services because they do not have enough people to work, and the ones who are working are often stretched pretty thin. My daughter has worked as a waitress, and we have often discussed how rude and arrogant "church people" can be when they do not get served as quickly as they think they ought to be.

This past Sunday's sermon title was "Jehovah-Fema?". The preacher reminded us that our support, our sustenance does not really come from the government and can't always be depended on to save us from our various troubles. In his own preacherly way, he reminded us that we as believers have something to share with those around us who are hurting. He challenged us to share our "one good word" with those around us who might be despairing from the mistaken belief that the only god they can depend on is "Jehovah-Fema".

We have so many people around us who are hurting, people who have strong faces that hide their pain. I bet you come across people like that every day as well. They are everywhere, and they are starving for one good word. In all the hustle and bustle of the season, and the joy, it is easy to forget that one good word can be so very powerful.

One good word can mean so much. Who could you offer one good word to?

(For more of David Whyte's poetry, click here. I am not real sure what the exact rules are for posting someone else's work on a blog like I have done. I think I am okay using it as a one-time post. I think for anything other than that, I'd have to have permission to use this poem.)

10 comments:

  1. ~applaudes~ I love this post annie. So true and thank you for reminding us. I will make it a point to take you up on it if this is a challenge...no less than one good word a day.

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  2. what a wonderful piece of work that is. It speaks volumes...especially to those who have suffered so much this year. I seem to find a lot of people whose memories match their patience.......much too short.....
    wouldn't that make an awesome Christmas card? Thanks for posting that.

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  3. p.s. went to his web site. Boy, thanks for that link. His stuff is great. Think I may get a couple of his books to give as gifts...(one for myself of course)

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  4. For my students! I should give each of them good words. Another teacher told me to imagine Jesus standing behind each student - he's hearing all the words I speak to these kids. I need to remember that more. Thanks for the gentle reminder.

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  5. Godd words. Even better when they are "living" words. Words that flow out of me from Him. May we all learn to be such vessels.......

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  6. Also, too, Annie... I think when you give "one good word" that word will always come back to you- I always try and say "Thank you" whenever I can and to whoever I can. Thank you is a good word. Even if I am not feeling very gracious at the moment, I always feel better afterward. Thanks for the post!

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  7. Great post, and a very timely one as the busy and stressful pre-Christmas season tempts us to neglect that one good word.

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  8. Annie.....when I was in college (Baylor) we used to go to his 4th July picnics (in the 70's).....I'm showing my age here, you realize....I'll have to look online for his piccie......I have many, many good memories of pre-tax Willie! Agree about the teeth and earring thing...same goes round here.......

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  9. I'm back.....left you a note over at my place..........now about this age thing.....I'll be 50 next year too......but I don't think it bothers me...45 was worse. I want 50 so I can get AARP. Perhaps part of my problem is that I still "think" I am 30.........going to concerts etc....but honestly, I feel good about that. It's something I love, and looking at the crowd, like at U2, there's a huge mix of age group. mostly our age or thereabouts. I think maybe we "get" their music...... I am glad you got the CD.........Stuck in a moment in my life story......(on bad days) See if you can snag Achtung Baby. It's very good too or the Greatest Hits 1990-2000. Numb is another one I think you'd like. ANyway, I'm just having a good ole conversation here......see ya later.

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  10. wonderful

    btw I turned 46 this week and this was the worst birthday yet. I'm hoping that from now on in they'll get better :)

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