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Oh, the impact that our words can make.
Positively. And negatively.
There’s even a proverb that says “the tongue has the power of life and death.”
All of us…young and old…have experienced both encouragement and pain from another’s words. And we’ve all wished we could take back words of our own.
This poem, written by Michael Bright and published in the book Silver Boxes, by Florence Littauer, provides an invaluable picture of the impact our words can make. I hope this will inspire you to wrap up some “silver boxes” of your own this weekend!
“My words were harsh and hasty
And they came without a thought.
Then I saw the pain and anguish
That my bitter words had brought.
Bitter words that I had spoken
Made me think back through the past;
Of how many times I’d uttered
Biting words whose pain would last.
Then I wondered of the people
I had hurt by things I’d said;
All the ones I had discouraged
When I didn’t use my head.
Then I thought about my own life.
Of painful words I’ve heard;
And of the times I’d been discouraged
By a sharp and cruel word.
And now clearly I remember
All the things I might have done;
But, by a word I was discouraged
And they never were begun.
Lord, help my words be silver boxes.
Neatly wrapped up with a bow;
That I give to all so freely,
As through each day I gladly go.
Silver boxes fill of treasure,
Precious gifts from God above;
That all the people I encounter
Might have a box of God’s own love.”
