The Word Became Flesh
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life, and that life was the light of men.The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it.
There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might believe. He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
I John 1: 1-9.
We bear witness to the Light of the World with our words.
In our kitchens, in in our minivans, bent over the changing table, pouring the toddler her bath, picking up the eldest at Tae Kwon Do. Talking to the neighbor, laughing with a friend, writing out a card, talking to the mailman, in that parent-teacher conference, stopped at a red traffic light, climbing the stairs, pressing the elevator button for someone else.
Kneading the bread dough with our children, ordering the caramel frappucino at Panera, tipping the waitress, answering a question in class, leaving a blog comment, sending a tweet, updating Facebook.
Checking out a library book, telling a bedtime story, singing a lullaby, reporting a bad day, whispering on the pillow, pitching the baseball, curling her hair, doing his laundry, sitting around the table.
Inviting the neighbors over, preaching a sermon, writing an eBook, replying to email, walking the dog, waving to friends, talking to the moms at the school door, getting your hair cut, picking out a birthday present, playing catch.
We bear witness to the Light of the World with our words.
This is not a small thing.
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Oh so true! I forget this often.
Your words give me pause to realize that what I am doing and saying has an impact and then ask, do I want that to be negative or “bear witness to the Light of the World”?
Thanks for this reminder.
Loved this post! So true and we ALL need reminders on a regular occasion. Thanks for doing just that!
Amen. Well said. I can’t help but think about all the lives that we impact through out that busy list your wrote. The people in line at Panera, The other mom’s at the Tae Kwan Doe. The neighbor you waved at who might have been having one of those days where she just needed another humans smile. The toddler who so looks forward to the bath you poured. The bread for the husband whose love language is gifts. The friend who really needed that laugh.
that’s the advantage a stay at home mom has
in her community. if she is purposed in her
heart to bless those she encounters, they WILL
be blessed.
Thank you for this excellent reminder.
Here’s my Day 7: http://musingsandmeanderings-mlp.blogspot.com/2012/10/day-7-of-31.html
Well, said, Lisa-Jo, and you are shedding light yet again by telling us to shed light. Your post suggests, as well, that it’s not just with words that we shed light, but with actions. Every word, every act can becomes a torch to beam the love and light of our Lord to a world lost in darkness. Turning an abrupt corner, whenever I read the word Panera, I can’t help but thinking that it’s really the St. Louis Bread Company. I live in St. L, and this restaurant found when they used their original name elsewhere in the country, they couldn’t drum up customers. But drum up a fancy name, and people flocked to it. Now aren’t you glad you know this bit of tastebud trivia?! =] Words are important, yes, but in the end, it’s the truth behind them that counts. If Panera’s bread weren’t excellent, no one would buy it no matter what they called it! Thanks for a wonderful post! Your words *constantly* bear light and truth!
No small thing indeed.
Word.
Yes, our words can be a gift or a curse. Either way, there is so much power tied up in our tongues. Our words always have an opportunity to impact. We just need to choose how.
beautiful and inspirational post, and so very true.
Have you ever read the book “the book thief”? It is all about the power (good and bad) of words.
That is a beautiful reminder! There is so much power in our words. They capture moments and communicate truths and share dreams and encourage weary souls. They speak of past, present and future. They contain hope and life. They testify!