The Power Of Words

Sometimes [the tongue] praises our Lord and Father, and sometimes it breaks out into curses against those who have been made in the image of God. James 3:9

I was watching the NBA all-star weekend’s slam dunk contest with my sons, who were ages twelve and ten at the time. That year Anthony “Spud” Webb was in the contest and was spectacular.

After the contest, Zachery, my ten-year-old, asked me, “Dad, how tall is that guy who was slam-dunking?”

“His name is Spud Webb, and he is five feet seven inches tall,” I answered.

I knew I was in trouble when I heard the inevitable follow-up question: “How tall are you, Dad?”

“I am five feet eleven.”

“Well, how come you can’t slam dunk? Are you too fat?”

I was about to respond when Brock, my oldest son, chimed in, “Zachery, Dad is not too fat; he weighs the same as Michael Jordan.”

For a brief moment, I thought I was raising a genius. But then he added, “Dad isn’t too fat. He’s just too old.”

In a strange and humorous way, I learned the value of words that day. The interaction between my sons and me was truly funny. We had a good laugh about it then, and we’ve often laughed about it since. But at the same time, my sons’ words have haunted me. I’ve wondered how my kids really view me. Do they see me as too fat? too old? I’ve wondered if I will always be able to laugh at myself or if I will begin taking myself so seriously that I become overly self-conscious.

Words can bring great blessings, but they can also cause great pain. How will you use your words?

Lord, remind me to choose my words carefully.