When Words Fail

I don't know what to say. 

Today has been one of those days when I intentionally step back from social media and listen instead of adding anything. What do I have to say that hasn't already been said? When every morning seems to break with news of a fresh disaster– either natural or unnatural– are words necessary? Are words even possible? 

I've made words one of the primary focuses of my life. Writing them, reading them, speaking them, trying to teach little people to love them and use them. But these days it feels like my trusty words have gotten slippery and hard to hold in place long enough to see if they are what I've been looking for or if they're all wrong. 

I so quickly get lulled into silence by the trouble of finding the right words. I flip them over in my hands and reject each of them. Too light, too heavy, too strong, not strong enough. I type and delete. I scribble and erase. 

The reason I bother at all is because I think that words matter. I think that the right words unlock something in us that is human, and lovely, and powerful. I believe that words connect us to each other and they connect us to ourselves. I believe they connect us to God– the Word became flesh and made a dwelling among us. 

We read, we talk, we listen, we sing, we shout, we cry, we pray because we want to understand and be understood. Words help us feel less alone. 

But our lives do not always suffer from a shortage of words. Sometimes we suffer from words poorly chosen and hastily thrown. Or words sharpened to a point and intended to wound. 

Our words matter deeply. I see the hurt caused by cruel and divisive words. I also see injustice that thrives in silence.

We need to be very careful with what we say to each other. Words are not empty vessels. They are each of them bursting with memories, associations, assumptions, fears, hopes, intentions, and baggage that are different for every person on the planet. Words continue to hurt because we are hurt people. 

There are no easy answers I can pass on that will change that. 

If I can leave you with one challenge, though, it would be this: be generous with your words. Use your words to heal, to pray, to stand up for those who are being held in silence. Use your words to give back dignity that has been stolen. To praise only what is deserving of praise. To speak truth. Speak grace. And above all, to speak love.