Paul's Passing Thoughts

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Proverbs 25:11).

I have this verse underlined in red in my New Scofield Reference Bible, copywrited in 1967.  Wayne, my husband of 36 years, now deceased, gave me the Bible for my birthday in 1976. Why I underlined in red I do not remember, probably because the only pen handy was one that I used to grade papers; and of course, teachers use red ink to grade papers.  But it is underlined because I found it significant, poignant, and a much needed reminder to speak words that are fitly spoken.

I have trouble speaking fit words.  Hateful words, sarcastic words, impatient words, nagging words (as Yule Brenner in a favorite musical of mine, The King and I, artfully said, “Etcetera, etcetera, etcetera”), come more easily from my mouth. I was taught a precious lesson this week from one of my preschoolers on the subject of words fitly spoken—the right words at the right time.

For many of you, reading children’s books are no longer part of your day because your little ones are grown and out of the nest.  Because of the nature of my job, that being an Early Intervention Specialist (a fancy name for a teacher of special needs preschoolers); I get to read and enjoy those simple stories on a daily basis.  I would like to encourage you to step back into time and read The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn. It is a children’s book that is chock full of theology and life applications. I traditionally read this book aloud to my preschoolers during the first week of school.

Coming to school for the very first time as a three, four, or five year old can cause anxiety. That anxiety manifests itself in a variety of ways such as, crying, clinging to a parent, hiding under tables, or refusing to participate. B is a four year old who suffered separation anxiety every day during that first week of school.  His anxiety manifested itself by crying, clinging to his mother, and after mother left, refusing to participate in any activities.

The first day I read the story of the kissing hand just as is. The second day I read it again and left out words, and frequently asked, “What happened next?” to encourage recall of information. The third day I encouraged the students to participate by pretending to be the main character, Chester, the raccoon. After many verbal prompts I had the attention of all thirteen wigglers, and was half way through the story when four year old B got out of his seat and stood beside my chair.   I sighed, and wanted to say, “Go back and sit down.”   But instead I asked,” What do you need, B?”  He wiggled his finger indicating he wanted to tell me something privately. I leaned over.  He kissed the palm of his hand and pressed it against my cheek and whispered, “I love you, Mrs. Susan.”  “I love you too.”  I whispered back.

B said fitly spoken words that were apples of gold in my picture of silver.  Now, in order to get the full meaning of what B said and did, you must read The Kissing Hand by Audrey Penn.

During the 45 minute drive home from school I reflected upon the verse and began thinking of other fitly spoken words recorded in the master textbook, Scripture.  My first recall was of the shepherds telling Mary all the things which had come to pass and how she pondered them in her heart.  I thought of Jesus and his conversation with Nicodemus under the cover of night and how our Savior’s fitly spoken words recorded in John chapter three are still used when we witness and evangelize.  We use Paul’s fitly spoken words to Timothy, his “son,” when he encouraged him. Scripture presents us with a limitless source of fitly spoken words, the right words spoken at the right time.  As we daily take up our crosses and follow Christ, let us also take the fitly spoken Word and use it to speak fitly spoken words to those around us.

Doing so will not be self righteous acts to gain favor with God, but will become as apples of gold in pictures of silver.  That is a divine promise.

susan