Advent Shelter: Devotion #3

 

Our Words Provide Shelter  -- by Jim

 

  "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."  "...for love is of God, and the person who loves is of God and knows God." – John 1:1 and 1 John 4:7ff

 

 

 the photo is John 1 from our 1765 copy of the Nurnberg Bible (auf Deutsch)

Our words can provide shelter.  Our words can provide a safe space to speak the unspeakable or send us out with nothing to protect us.  The "Word" John speaks of can call us into a caring community or send us to uncertainty.  We have all experienced words that have hurt deeply or a kind word that brought a sense of peace.  This I know that I cannot see words, but I can experience them.  So, how do we use words?  How do we use the "Word?"  What is our intention?  To heal?  To hurt?  What Word was there in the beginning as John states? 

Word is to be about love!

 

Seems like so long ago I was Chaplain at Northwood.  Several years after I retired I received a letter from a person whose mother was a Northwood resident.  I was with them as Mom was dying.  My intuition told me something was amiss between a dying mother and her adult child.  So I asked.  I was told I needed more than 24 hours to hear the story.  They were "words" that could not be spoken.  My "words" were that I could stay that long.  A word of invitation! 

 

 Words from the letter stated, 

"...Simple words, so quietly spoken and generous and yet so powerful.  These words I did not take lightly.  Later... I realized they were a priceless gift.  Thank you."  The "Word!"  Our "words!"  So powerful.  A shelter from the storm.  A place of safety!  What do we wish with our words and God's Word? 

 

In the beginning the Word was Love!

 

 

Prayer: 

Show us once again the power of your Word that we may accept the call to shelter all of creation.  Help us once again to use our words to bring a sense of belonging to this weary world.  Grant us peace Great Creator God of all.  Amen.