Recently Jay and I began the daunting task of sorting through my family’s home after the recent passing of mother. One day we were up in the attic when we discovered my grandfather’s old Corona typewriter as well as many of the letters he had written. Each Sunday, he would type a letter to his four sons with an update about life on the farm, sharing his love and concern for their lives and families. The words were precious and priceless.
One treasure we discovered was a letter my grandfather had written to my other grandfather in 1945 expressing his delight in my father’s engagement to my mother. He said, “We love those whom our children love, so our interests are the same now. We have been praying that the great and good God would direct and lead Ed in the selecting of his wife. We do not feel that their paths crossed by accident. We have enough faith to believe that it was DIVINELY planned. Our blessed Lord is guiding, directing and leading in it all.”
Through all the years and all the letters he wrote, my grandfather’s words encouraged, celebrated, and gave evidence of his deep faith. His words reflected his heart, revealing compassion, grace, and love. They reflected the person he was. Our words, whether offered by tongue or typed, are a reflection of who we are.
Upon personal reflection, my words lately may not all have been pleasing to God. Occasionally I did not hold back words when I needed to refrain. When enough had been said, I piled on more words. I interrupted when I should have listened. Our culture is just the same: quick to speak and slow to listen. It is easier to slander than to offer grace, to tear down instead of bolster, and to light up the world in smoke. Today I pray that I—and we—would be more like my grandfather, offering words to the world that encourage, inspire, and reflect our faith.