The Power of Our Words Guest Post by Ruth Ann Adams

My nine-month-old grandson delights us with his vocalizations. He is listening, experimenting, enjoying the sounds he makes. As he grows, his early babbles will lead to a world of language and communication that is yet beyond his understanding.

Madeleine L'Engle tells us:

"When the words mean even more than the writer knew they meant, then the writer has been listening. And sometimes when we listen, we are led into places we do not expect, into adventures we do not always understand."

As writers, we know that words have a power beyond themselves. The Gospel of John states: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (1:1, NIV). Jesus is identified as the Word, the ultimate source of truth. God chose to bring the universe into existence through words. The spoken and written words of God possess creative power. Since we are God's children, made in His image, our words also contain creative ability.

When we sit down to write, we begin a journey. Whether we make careful preparations or follow an unknown route, there is a leap of faith involved. What will we create? Where will our journey take us? What obstacles or surprises will there be along the way?

Writers understand what it means to have an uninvited character show up and insist on staying. Or perhaps the main character, or even a minor one, turns rogue and decides that he or she will dictate the story. A non-fiction writer may be plagued with an annoying idea that was not part of the outlined plan.

Of course, the decision is with the writer. Characters can be eliminated or ignored. An idea can be tossed aside. But sometimes we may need to listen.

Madeline L'Engle reminds us that our words mean more than we know. Many times, God has spoken to me through an image, detail, perceptions of a character or glimpse of a thought. This might be a detail such as a character's choice of a butterfly-patterned bedspread, reminding me of the potent image of new life from difficult circumstances. What we say and what we write possess the power to encourage, instruct, inspire and protect. We will not always, perhaps not often, be aware of how our writing impacts others.

Allowing ourselves to listen may lead to unexpected adventures. Some years ago, my husband and one of our daughters planned a surprise trip to England, Scotland and Wales. Touring England, especially the city of London, was the dream of a lifetime. England was all I had hoped for, but I was completely taken off guard by my reaction to Scotland. I fell passionately in love with the rolling green hills, Scottish traditions, music and romance this land had to offer.

Sometimes as writers, we wonder whether the road not taken, the story not told, might have been the best of all. If we listen well, we will take some of these roads. We will be amazed that the side trip is beyond what we imagined. We will listen to creative nudges, to God's heart, and with our words satisfy the hunger in the hearts of others, even if we don't foresee the impact.

Over the next months, my grandson will continue to experiment with sounds. His babbles will turn into words, sentences and conversations. This progression will be a largely unconscious, biological process. Acquiring language skills will thrust him into adventures that he has no concept of now. His vocalizations are more than he knows, and our words as writers are more than we understand.

Ruth Ann Adams is a high school English teacher, pastor’s wife, mother of five and grandma of one.  She has been published in anthologies and magazines. Ruth Ann has a passion to bring God's love and  encouragement to others. Her blog, 5 X Mama, can be found at ruthannadams.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lent - Guest Post by Ruth Ann Adams

I glanced at the text message, just before beginning classes on the morning of Ash Wednesday. The news was disappointing. Overwhelmingly so.

My intentions this Lent were to watch my thoughts and words, not complain, dwell on the positives. Now it was all I could do to get through my work day. When my husband picked me up, I waited until we got home and then vented, hurling negative words, shattering my goals for Lent before even twenty-four hours had passed.

My journey with Lent began many years ago as a new bride and minister’s wife. Since I had switched denominations when I married, there were some traditions that were unfamiliar. “Do you know what this means?” a parishioner asked me, during my first Lenten season. I gulped a little, not knowing the answer. What was really the purpose in observing these weeks before Easter?

Since those early days as a novice, Lent has evolved into a meaningful part of my faith walk, with three guiding components.  

Fasting:

My husband invited some of his congregations to participate in a “Daniel” type fast, giving up sweet desserts and junk food. This is patterned off two passages. In Daniel 1:8-16, Daniel refuses to make himself unclean by eating Babylonian food. He calls his fellow Hebrews to give up “choice foods” for vegetables. Later, Daniel undertakes a special fast for three weeks to seek revelation about the plight of his people in Babylonian captivity and the spiritual bondage behind it.

“At that time I, Daniel, mourned for three weeks. I ate no choice food; no meat or wine touched my lips; and I used no lotions at all until the three weeks were over” (Daniel 10:2-3, NIV).

Following Daniel’s example, we fast during Lent to consecrate ourselves to God and seek for wisdom and understanding.

Some years have been more successful than others, ranging from near perfect abstinence to numerous slips. Right now, I would love a cola drink and piece of chocolate. Okay, more than one piece of chocolate. Reducing excess sugar, though, is good for our bodies. Fasting is biblical and associated with times set aside for prayer, repentance and contemplation.

Prayer:

Before Lent begins, I write specific targeted prayers in my journal. These become my prayer focus, the needs and concerns I lay before God. Jesus provides the basis for this type of concentrated prayer during his forty days in  the wilderness, a time of preparation involving prayer and fasting. The forty days correspond to the forty days of Lent (minus the Sundays).

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted  by the devil. 2 After fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 The tempter came to him and said, ‘If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread’” (Matthew 4:1-3, NIV).

The time Jesus spent alone with his Father prepared him for the temptations and ministry ahead, culminating with the cross. We need times of prayer and preparation for the work he wants to do in and through us.

Giving to others:

This year, I have decided to watch my words and focus on the positives, as a way to give to others, to encourage them in their own faith journey. I am still unhappy about the contents of the text message. However, this is where

 the purpose of observing Lent is most clearly displayed. It is not about us, our performance, our failures. Practising Lent is not an obligation. Instead it is a way to focus on Jesus and his sacrifice on the cross. Jesus died so that we could enter into relationship with him, obtain forgiveness and grace and the power to change.

God bless you!

Ruth Ann Adams is a high school English teacher, mother of five and pastor's wife. She has been published in anthologies and magazines. Ruth Ann has a passion to bring God's encouragement to others. She loves cats and British history. Her blog, 5 X Mama,  can be found at ruthannadams.com.

My Word for 2020: Joy - by Ruth Ann Adams

Shortly after our youngest child was born, my dad called me in the labour/delivery room and said, “She will always be a joy to you.” Susanna was only two when her grandpa died, but I have often told her that his words are his blessing, his legacy to her. Our baby girl is now 25. Her friendly nature, funny antics, devotion to her family, and passion for her career as an Early Childhood Educator all bring joy to me and many others.

Joy is the word that God has impressed on my heart for 2020. We all struggle with times of sadness, loss and anxiety-producing situations. It can be all too easy to focus on our difficulties, rather than on the good things in our lives. 

When we say, “It has just been one thing after another,” we are generally referring to negative situations. What if we were to turn our emphasis around and focus on the positives? What would it look like to purposely walk in joy?

Paul lists joy as one of the fruits of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22).

How do we acquire the fruits of the Spirit?

Fruit takes time to grow. On this cold, snow-laden Canadian winter day, there is no sign of life on the trees or bushes. In the months to come, weather conditions will change, warmth will return and fruit will appear in its season.

For fruit to grow in our lives, we need the right conditions. The Holy Spirit is always in the process of softening our hearts and whispering words of guidance and love. We learn to trust and worship him, and to convey his love to others. Fruit grows as the Holy Spirit does his work.

Specifically, how do we nurture the fruit of joy?

Focus on Jesus

Our Sunday School Christmas concert in December focused on the joy that accompanied the birth of Jesus. The children’s natural exuberance reflected that joy as they sang and performed the actions to their songs. God calls us to have child-like faith. We can rejoice all year long in the assurance that Jesus was born on this earth in order that he could pay the price for our sins, and offer us new life through faith.

As the season of Easter approaches, we can also focus on how Jesus handled adversity. Hebrews 12:2 gives us a clear example. “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2, Berean Study Bible). Jesus felt emotions. He rejoiced,  grieved, even wept. He also knew that the end result of his suffering would bring great joy as he accomplished his purpose on earth and defeated death and sin on the cross. Our trials can’t compare with his, but Jesus understands our pain and offers us a joy that comes through our relationship with him.

Focus on the Positive

In 2020, the year of 20/20 vision, bookend your weeks and days with the positives. We can change the focus of our vision from one negative situation after another to one answered prayer after another. Each day brings blessings. My father left a legacy of joy to my youngest daughter. Our heavenly father gives us joy as our legacy, a gift that will change our lives if we allow it to.

  

Joy! My word for 2020! I am excited to see the joy this year will bring for us all!

Ruth Ann Adams is a high school English teacher, mother of five and pastor's wife. She has been published in anthologies and magazines. Ruth Ann has a passion to bring God's encouragement to others. She loves cats and British history. Her blog, 5 X Mama, can be found at ruthannadams.com.