The Power of Words

I was reminded today, in a number of ways, of the power of words. Really, it doesn't take much to remind me of that. Words are one of things I am most passionate about, especially written words. I am not feeling particularly profound tonight, and fear my own attempt at using words to express myself will be in some way inadequate, but today, three things stood out as I thought about words.

1. I had the priviledge of spending most of the day at a seminar on spiritual formation taught by Brian McLaren. If you don't know who Brian McLaren is, go to your local bookstore and ask for either "A New Kind of Christian" or "A Generous Orthodoxy" and read them - McLaren has some interesting things to say about how the church needs to respond to the challenges presented by a world that is increasingly "postmodern." Later, I'll probably have some things to say about the seminar (I'm still processing much of what I heard) but I was reminded as I listened to McLaren speak, of the power of words to communicate and challenge - McLaren is often the center of controversy in Christian circles for daring the church to look at life differently. I love that words have the power to challenge comfort zones in some way.
   
2. After I came home from the seminar, I checked my email. I am on a mailing list from the Henri Nouwen society (henrinouwen.org), that sends me a daily reflection written by Nouwen. I found Nouwen to be incredibly profound on a regular basis, but today, especially, I was captivated by the truth I recognized in his words. The reflection for today was titled "Writing to Save the Day" and went as follows: "Writing can be a true spiritual discipline. Writing can help us to concentrate, to get in touch with the deeper stirrings of our hearts, to clarify our minds, to process confusing emotions, to reflect on our experiences, to give artistic expression to what we are living, and to store significant events in our memories. Writing can also be good for others who might read what we write. Quite often a difficult, painful, or frustrating day can be "redeemed" by writing about it. By writing we can claim what we have lived and thus integrate it more fully into our journeys. Then writing can become lifesaving for us and sometimes for others too."
   
3. I rented the movie "Finding Neverland" tonight. If you haven't seen it, pick it up - it's an incredibly powerful film. I'm still processing it too, but it, like the other events of my day reminded me of the power of words. In the movie, the power of words is the ability to transport us beyond the ordinary. To inspire our imaginations and create fantastic dreams. The power of words is life-giving.
   

I am so incredibly thankful for God's gift of words, and particularly of writing. It is in writing that I feel my heart most truly expressed - to God and to others. I am thankful for parents, and particularly for a father who encouraged and cultivated a passion for language, for written expression in my life. For parents who pretended not to notice the book I hid under my bedcovers on long summer nights. For parents who pretended not to notice how many times I got out of bed after being tucked in on winter nights to use the bathroom, smuggling a book along, because I could turn the light on and read in the bathroom, and I couldn't in my bedroom! For parents who cultivated imagination, and played along when we were pioneers in our backyard, painting the walls of our playhouse green and yellow by using dandelions and chives. I am thankful for a language that allows my heart to be expressed. I am reminded tonight of the power of words.