Lessons from Odd Places: Words that Saved my Life
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“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear” (Proverbs 25:11-12).
When I was about ten years old, my older brother and I were riding our bikes on a trail. It was the back way to a small store that let us avoid the main route that went along a busy highway. One section of the trail was a narrow path that ran along the edge of the bank of a river.
My bike had the old-fashioned saddle bag wire baskets on either side of the back wheel. I had a six pack of pop in one basket that gave me a slight sensation of being off balance. The path that ran so close along the river it made me nervous without this added challenge of weighty cargo in my basket.
Well, as you may have guessed, the bike, pop and I ended up sliding off the path and falling over the bank into the river. The drop down to the water was about a meter and a half. My bike got caught on a root so did not get washed away.
I landed in the water and was thrashing around yelling, “Help, I’m drowning!” My brother yelled back at me, “Stand up.”
While I had fallen into deep water that was over my head, through my thrashing I had moved to a place that was not. To this day I wonder if I could have drowned in the shallower water if my brother had not told me to stand up.
Words are powerful for good or for destruction. Words can bless or wound deeply.
“A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear” (Proverbs 25:11-12).
There may be someone around you who is thrashing in the currents of life and is in need of some life giving words today. They might need a word of encouragement to help them see how to extricate themselves from an overwhelming situation. Or you, yourself may need a life giving word from someone close to you who can see a bigger picture than you do.
For all who wrestle with seemingly life threatening challenges, God’s word, the Bible is his love letter to us. Open it often and listen to God’s instructions, drinking deep because it is the source of true and life giving words.
Questions: Do you know someone that is in need of help? What would be that one thing that would help her in her situation that you could do for her?
About the Author Mike Woodard
Tags: bikes, Chat, destruction, drowning, encouragement, gold, lessons, mike woodard, overwhelming, river, six pack, threatening, trail, wire baskets
5 Responses to “Lessons from Odd Places: Words that Saved my Life”
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Yessiree! And a side note: As we grow in our understanding of Scripture and our personal relationship with God, we will find that we have more and more tools to work with. God can always use us exactly as we are, but I do believe we can become more “user friendly” if we let Him change us from the inside out and we become more sensitive to His Spirit.
Yes, great devotional, Mike! I agree with you, Cathy . . . . great perspective spoken from Julie. Julie you spoke “apples of gold in settings of silver” . Arlette your heart must ache for your dear friend. Continue to lift her up to the Lord. Send her some cards . . . . something she will look forward to receiving. Does she have email or on Facebook? Couple of other ways to communicate. Or even skype.
A dear friend tried to take her life not too long ago. Sadly she is in another country so I cannot go and see her. She has been a wonderful guide to me in His word and sharing her faith but why would someone who is strong in the Lord do this? I think since she suffers from a mental disease that perhaps the disease overcame her rational mind. I pray for her and I know that is the most powerful thing I can do. I wish that I knew some wise words to say to her that would help her. Thank you so much for this devotional and the oppertunity to express my concern and confusion.
I like that Julie. Good devotional. Amen
Great story. Even greater example. Thanks for sharing it.
To me, it also represents how we can carry stuff in our lives that will make us off balance. How easy it would have been to split up the six pack of soda and put three in each basket. Christ can right us on the path, even the load and keep us from falling into deep waters.