The Power of a Word
Recently I wrote a card for the mothers of Christ the King Lutheran School. I wanted to express my appreciation for the Godly examples that you show to your children. You are a very dedicated, hard-working, and blessed group.
That was the intention. However, when I read what was actually published, I was dismayed. I wanted to tell you that I was inspired by you. It came out sounding completely different. You see, I left out a word. Yep, just one word – only three letters, yet it changed the entire meaning of the verse.
What was published was, “The love, care, concern, attention, instruction, and most of the prayers you speak on behalf of your children are an inspiration to all.” That is not what I wanted to say. What I wanted to say was, “The love, care, concern, attention, instruction, and most of all – the prayers you speak on behalf of your children are an inspiration to all.”
By leaving out the word, “all,” I changed the entire sense of the message. “All,” only one word, not very large, yet very significant.
The power of one word is tremendous. For most of my life, the word I wanted to hear was,” yes.” I wanted Mom to say “yes” to me when I asked to: spend the night with my friend, go to the show, get a raise in allowance, ride my bike uptown, etc. I also valued the word, “Yes,” when I asked Carol to be my wife. “Yes,” only one word, not very large, yet very significant.
There is another word that is very powerful. This word is not very big, but very significant. The Word is “Jesus.” Jesus is the Word that takes away my sin. Jesus is the Word that gives me power to witness to Him. Jesus is the Word that saves me from sin, death and the power of Satan. Jesus is the Word.
I thank God that the Word saves me.
Prayer, Thank you, Jesus, for saving me from sin, death, and the power of Satan. Amen.
That was the intention. However, when I read what was actually published, I was dismayed. I wanted to tell you that I was inspired by you. It came out sounding completely different. You see, I left out a word. Yep, just one word – only three letters, yet it changed the entire meaning of the verse.
What was published was, “The love, care, concern, attention, instruction, and most of the prayers you speak on behalf of your children are an inspiration to all.” That is not what I wanted to say. What I wanted to say was, “The love, care, concern, attention, instruction, and most of all – the prayers you speak on behalf of your children are an inspiration to all.”
By leaving out the word, “all,” I changed the entire sense of the message. “All,” only one word, not very large, yet very significant.
The power of one word is tremendous. For most of my life, the word I wanted to hear was,” yes.” I wanted Mom to say “yes” to me when I asked to: spend the night with my friend, go to the show, get a raise in allowance, ride my bike uptown, etc. I also valued the word, “Yes,” when I asked Carol to be my wife. “Yes,” only one word, not very large, yet very significant.
There is another word that is very powerful. This word is not very big, but very significant. The Word is “Jesus.” Jesus is the Word that takes away my sin. Jesus is the Word that gives me power to witness to Him. Jesus is the Word that saves me from sin, death and the power of Satan. Jesus is the Word.
I thank God that the Word saves me.
Prayer, Thank you, Jesus, for saving me from sin, death, and the power of Satan. Amen.