I think that's something that we can all agree on. Whether positive or negative, the words we use can affect people or situations. Do you often think about that? I sure don't! While I'm not exactly what people would call the "outspoken" type, I certainly can't say that I always put consideration into the words I use. This is something I've been contemplating a lot in not only the past months, but years really. If you feel like walking through those contemplations with me, keep reading. If not, I'll never know anyway ;)
I have been really blessed throughout my life to have friendships with people who really value words. People who consider the affect that language can have and strive to use words that will correctly express what is being said.
For example, what would you think if I said that midwives deliver babies? Do you agree? I sure don't! I have spent enough time around birth in the past year and a half to understand very well that midwives do MANY things but none of those things include "delivering" a baby, unless it is their own child. Some people may go even farther and say that women don't "deliver" babies, they "birth" babies. There are pretty popular bumper stickers amongst birth activists saying "Babies aren't delivered.... Pizza's are!" I'd say that's pretty accurate (I'd also say I'd LOVE to have some pizza delivered right about now, but I'll stick to the point). If I, as a midwife (sooooon!), were to say I delivered a baby, I would feel that with the language used I am taking WAY more credit for all that work than I deserve. I'm not gonna lie... Midwifery is really hard. But birthing a baby is so much harder. I think that women deserve to be empowered through birth, therefore, I'm careful about the language I use as I feel that it carries weight. Make sense?
Ok. Let's transfer this concept biblically!
If you know me well, you know that I love Elevation Church and Pastor Furtick's sermons. He said something in a sermon last week that really challenged me and brought me back to this whole point on the importance of language, or words. He was talking about Ezekiel and the Valley of Dry Bones. Now let me tell you, if I were in that situation and God told me to prophesy to a bunch of skeletons I would be like "Heck no, Lord!". I have a hard enough time speaking life into smaller situations. Looking at a bunch of bones and prophesying that they will come to life is a BIG DEAL! There have been some big things that I have had to believe for in the past few years (such as finances to be here), but nothing like that! One of the points that Furtick made with Ezekiel's story is that Ezekiel spoke TO the dry bones, not ABOUT the dry bones. That hit me in the face like a good hard God brick.
Then he said to me, "Prophesy to these bones and say to them, 'Dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!
This is what the Sovereign Lord says to these bones: I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.
I will attach tendons to you and make flesh come upon you and cover you with skin; I will put breath in you, and
you will come to life. Then you will know that I am the Lord.' "
Ezekiel 37: 4-6
I am really good at talking about whatever valley of dry bones I may be facing, but I am lacking when it comes to talking TO the bones. How much would change, I wonder, if I altered my language (and thus my heart, possibly) a little bit more to match Ezekiel's gumption? Would it bring more hope to a dire situation? Would it put the "bones" back in the hands of the giver of breath? Would I see life come from these "bones", whatever they may be? I think I would. I think WE would.
What are your "bones" right now? What do you need to alter about the way you speak TO your situation? Maybe nothing. Maybe something. That's for you to decide. I, for one, will continue to be challenged to consider the power of the words I speak, whether to people or to situations in my life. God didn't give us communication for nothing, my friends!
Anyways, that's it for my musings today :) I'll move onto some other things of importance.
I am currently 7 weeks away from my LAST payment for clinic fees being due. Doesn't seem like a lot of time, but it is certainly enough. Unfortunately, due to the relatively horrible exchange rate (my fees are due in USD), I have had to add a little bit extra to my budget. Instead of $8,000, I need to raise $8,500. I didn't consider the exchange rate enough with the last payment, thus forcing me to really consider it this time. However, I am very stoked to report that I have already received some very generous donations and am now needing to raise only $7,200!! Amazing eh? While that number still seems a tad large, I know it's do-able!
Besides a small amount needed for a flight home next year (which I will talk about in the late spring), this is the final stretch in fundraising! I know that I have said these things over and over again, but it's important to remember that your donations go directly towards supporting the clinic that I work with here, allowing us to provide excellent midwifery care for the women of Tabuk and surrounding villages.
I have been so blessed by all the people who have believed in and supported the work being done here, and I would love if you could continue in that with me. Your support, from $10 to $1,000+ goes so far and is received with a very grateful heart. If you have any questions about supporting, please contact me. I would LOVE to talk with you. To donate, just click the PayPal button on the right of this screen or e-mail me for other options.
Thanks for spending the time reading! Much love to you!
A
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