Transparent Christian Magazine

My father-in-law, Carter stayed with my family for 6 weeks this summer while my wife was recovering from back surgery. He’s a very kind man and his presence was a HUGE blessing. I had to keep him stocked in Klondike Bars but that was a small price to pay!

He has a rare neurological condition that affects his eyes. The problem appeared many years ago, causing him to apply for disability. While he was here, he told me a story about the lengthy and difficult ‘disability application process’ that included completing a mountain of paperwork. He said that one evening, after finishing all the questionnaires, he threw the forms into a large paper sack and set it on his kitchen table.

His meeting with a state psychologist was in the morning and he grabbed the paper sack on the way out the door. During the meeting, the psychologist asked to see his paperwork and Carter handed it to him.

However, the bag that the man opened was NOT the bag with all of his completed forms and paperwork. In THIS bag there were a few days worth of table scraps and various bits of rotting fruit, egg shells and other compost for his garden that the family had been accumulating over a handful of days.

He said it took a barnyard of convincing on his part to disperse the irritation from the puzzled and now-grumpy psychologist, who felt that my father-in-law might be delivering his own smelly commentary on the frustrating mountain of paperwork.

In hearing this story again, I was thinking about how many times I hand off the ‘wrong bag’. Even if I manage to pick up the right bag, by the time I deliver it, it’s full of ‘rotting fruit’. In my case, it usually takes the form of something I say to a co-worker, a friend, or my wife and kids. There are plenty of Bible references that talk about the power of words, and my favorite is probably Proverbs 12:18 (New International Version)

18 Reckless words pierce like a sword,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Since Carter left, I have been analyzing what ‘bag of words’ I am delivering. So, hang with me over the next few weeks and let’s reach for the ‘right words’ as we’re preparing to run out the door.

Love,
Jason