Words and encouragement

How many words do we speak every day? Hundreds probably, or perhaps even thousands.  Words can be powerful in communicating all kinds of things: facts, thoughts and feelings, expectations, and of course we use words in our worship. The Book of Proverbs reminds us that our words may have constructive or destructive outcomes in the minds of the hearers: “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked” (Proverbs 10,11). So our words can bring joy or sorrow, healing or hurt, encouragement or discouragement,  

We now live in extraordinary times in the shadow of Covid-19, and currently we are unable to gather together as we did 3-4 months ago, with some folk experiencing a sense of isolation and discouragement, particularly those who may not have access to the parish website. But we can and should still communicate with others (e.g. by phone, letter, electronically and ‘socially-distanced’ voice) and encourage them in their daily walks with Jesus our Lord.  As we do so may these words of the Psalmist be our prayer: “May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight O Lord my Rock and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19, 14).