When we think of folks like George Wallace, the former governor of Alabama, or Pat Robertson the television evangelist, or Jimmy "the Greek" a former commentator for televised football, do we remember their many good words or those words that evoked anger, hurt, suffering, or confusion? Those words that the spoke that relegated another person or group of people to less than equal status.
A young man had an issue of saying negative things to people. As a result, very few people wanted to hang out with him. To help him break the habit, one of his remaining friends suggested that each time he wanted to say something negative he should get his hammer and a nail and pound it into a board behind his garage. Desperate to change, the young man agreed. As they lived side-by-side, the friend watched as the young man took many trips each day with hammer and nail in hand. However, after a couple of weeks, the young man began making fewer trips until about a month later he rarely went behind the garage. His friend asked him how things were going and the young man's attitude was completely different. "I feel so much better about myself and others. What a great idea you had. I think I'm going to through the board away as I don't need it anymore."
His friend put up his hand and said, "Here's a better idea. Every time you say something nice to someone whom you have hurt in the past, go out back and take a nail out of the board." The young man said he would give it a try and while at first the trips were few, about 2 weeks later he was going out back frequently and the smile he wore on his face as well as the skip in his step revealed the positive power of this exercise.
One day the young man appeared at his door with an empty board. "I've done it," said the young man. "Near the end I even was intentional to make sure that I said something positive to those whom I had hurt in the past. My last nail was removed after I apologized to a friend for something I had said. Thanks for helping me!"
The friend said that the lesson was not yet over. He then took the board and showed him where all the nails had once been. "This board was smooth before you began and though you've removed all of the negative nails, you can see the impression they left behind."
In our hands, words can be nails. They can leave a mark that though an apology has been made will always leave a mark. I know that I have hammered too many people in my life. I've pounded some in place while others were softly tapped, hoping not to be noticed. As Lent approaches, a time of intentional reflection on our faith journey with God through Christ and the Holy Spirit, I've decided that rather than give up sweets, as I have done for years, I am going to try and give out sweets, as in words that I use to describe, or communicate with, others. They are far better for the soul and they can also guide me as I experience God's presence in everyone I meet. I guess it's sort of humbling to think that since Christ is in each person, every time I use a negative expression, I am hammering a nail into Christ.
I know I will fail may times in my effort but I also believe that as I spend less time walking towards the back of the garage, I will be able to spend more time sharing the grace and love of God that Christ offers me.
Boy, that was a heavy one! Enjoy the day and don't get nailed!!!
