Time Bones

Words (Story)

Words (Story)
Words



Truthful words, showing another where their own hurt is.
Deceptive words, soaked in rags of flammable poison.

Kind words, building a protective moat about another.
Cruel words, aggrandizing pride of destruction.

Informative words, digging irrigation ditches in the field of understanding.
Lying words, grabbing at another's dream.

Helping words, opening a stuck door so another may enter first.
Hindering words, untying a runners shoe during a race.

Healing words, recovering from another's hurt.
Wounding words, performing unnecessary surgery without anesthesia.

Loving words, carefully building beauty in the mirror image of another.
Angry words, storing acid in another's heart.

Humble words, teaching truth and goodness by acts.
Proud words, proclaiming popular ignorance of self.

Wholesome words, baking bread for future families.
wicked words, dressed in the attire of a Jester while destroying another.


A woman asked the Lord what she could do to comfort a mother whose child had just been killed in an accident. It seemed as though there was nothing that could be done, but if there were, she was willing to do it.

"And Lord," she said as she continued in prayer for the other, "what can I say to a mother who has lost her child? What words can be spoken so her joy ceases to crumble apart as does sand passing through an hour glass. What are words to one whose joy in this life has been crushed and turned to powder, where minute by minute it falls upon the growing heap of despair? Lord, what are words?"

Then she waited. She waited for the still, small voice of God. Though often seemingly slow, He was never late.

"Go," came the reply. "Go visit this one dear to us both."

"But, Lord," she began, "I don't know what to say!"

"Go," was the only reply.

So she, by faith, left to do as the Lord had commanded. To the house of sorrow she went, where a section of the roof, unseen by mortal eye, had fallen in, and heavy, unhampered rains were pouring in through it. The gale beat about the windows, pounding the once carefully tended shutters back and forth, smashing them against the side of the house. But no one cared and they were left to be destroyed. Streaks of lightning accompanied by immediate claps of rolling thunder roared overhead as the front door with great difficulty was being forced slowly open by her friend, allowing her admittance.

The raging storm was just as intense within as without. Clothing, pictures and loose papers were being whirled about from room to room in chaotic manner, while furniture and dishes smashed against the walls - pieces scattering over the floor. The din was very hard to stand against, but the Lord had said for her to "Go," and here she was.

There was really nothing that could be said during such a tempest. Words could not be very well heard because the howling gale kept the two separated by all but presence. So there the two waited and watched as the world about them was torn apart.

Later, when the visiting person had to leave, the storm besetting the house yet remained. Had she made a mistake? Had the Lord really said for her to "Go?" What good had been accomplished by her visiting her friend? Her steps increased in speed as she directed her way toward home. She thought about the terrible plight of the sorrowing mother, and hoped the answer might be more clearly understood than had the command.

That night, after the things of the day had quieted down, God spoke with her again. As often happened, it was not the time expected. Still, she listened closely to the quiet voice.

"You did as I bid and you did well. You stood in the way representing me. Though you see not, your presence meant a lot. For as I speak to mankind by creation, so the language of your staying as you did speaks of your care and compassion. The message was heard."

"But, Lord, nothing happened. The storm was still there, blowing as fiercely when I left as when I arrived. Is there something you can do to help?

"By my Word I stilled the winds and waves of Galilee. I raise the dead. I am the Lord. The grieving you have for your friend also grieves me. I, too, shall go." And that was all. The voice and presence of God passed on. But in passing, the Lord had left peace.

The next day, with much trepidation as to what would be found, she returned to visit the storm buffeted house once again. But now, even a block away, she could see a radiant glow covering that part of the sky where low lying storm clouds had been the day before. Drawing closer she saw a large, shimmering rainbow of promise arched silently above, displaying the protective presence of God there.

It was evident that Lord had once again stilled the waves and wind of the Sea of Galilee. The large repaired rend in the roof looked normal again, other than the new roofing was gilded with silver and edged with gold. Even the shutters, and side of the house where they had been banging against, were repaired in like perfect manner - having the silver and gold trademark of the passing of the Lord. The house of sorrow was now a house transformed into one of beauty and light.

On either side of the front door climbing roses were in full bloom, their full springtime fragrance evoking thoughts of peace and rest. On the door itself this message had been artfully engraved, "Blessed are all who enter here. The blessing of the Lord be upon you."

Just as surprising as was the outside appearance, was the manner in which the door opened by itself at one's approach, bidding them welcome. Heavenly, clear notes of joy mixing with beams of light coming from within flooded over the yard, lighting up the street beyond, the luminous grace vying for excellence with the protective rainbow abiding above.

Inside everything was in order as should be. It was evident the train of the Lord had passed through the house, each seeking some good to perform. Was it not possible that the fading, glowing fingerprints on the papers and books, so neatly placed where they belonged, were those of the Lord? And the furniture that was repaired so perfectly, could it not have been done by the Carpenter from Galilee? How much it was like Him to take care of all things.

It was such a sweet place to be, she would have loved to stay longer, but another visitor was already enjoying the presence of this home blessed by God. The dear one, whose heart yesterday had been broken apart with sorrow for all time, was now happy, rejoicing and encouraging another mother who had experienced the same sorrow, and who could not get free of her storm.

The clouds hanging about the head of the visitor, obscuring her vision, were evaporating away. It was strange how her face was beginning to show a life warming glow and becoming youthful in appearance as she listened to earnest spoken words. In spite of herself, a new risen smile of happiness touched the corner of her lips while hope revealed its presence in her eyes, and her soul was once again awakening to the dawning presence of faith rising within. How could it be that there were no words which could be spoken amidst the storm yesterday but today the same one was able to not only speak to another burdened with the same problem, but even seemed to have the ability to still the waves of sorrow and hush the winds of adversity. What kind of magic was it?"

Leaving the two alone, reluctantly, she departed and began walking toward her own house, wondering at what she had seen. "So you see," began the still, small voice of God while she was musing about the mystery, "I have a reason for the storm. Because our loved one has been through the wind and waves of Galilee, she shall speak often of Me and I shall comfort many others. Because her affection is set on things above, she shall have eternal riches. I am the Way. The lame and the blind are Mine. The rich and the poor belong to Me. I am the Lord." Then the voice was gone. The Lord in speaking had gilded understanding with silver and edged it with the gold of wisdom. Such was the trademark of the passing presence of the Lord.

posted by Bones of Time @ 12:28 PM