Words That Don’t Fall
By Sharon Hinck

This week I read something striking in I Samuel 3:19-21.

“The Lord was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground.”

I loved that! I have to confess I tend to babble. That’s why I write novels instead of short stories. And a LOT of my words deserve to fall to the ground. I process my thoughts by talking and writing, and it takes time to whittle them down to the ones that count. But how exciting to know that God can make sure that the words that matter — spoken or written — can accomplish their work and NOT fall to the ground. The chapter ends by saying, “And Samuel’s word came to all Israel.”

That was a time before printing presses, cellphones, and websites. Yet God was able to spread the words that He gave Samuel throughout the tribes. For those of us in the field of writing, isn’t it a comfort to know He can bring our words wherever He likes?

Lord, let the worthless words drop away and disappear on a puff of wind like chaff. Let the words that come from You endure and spread. Amen!

Speaking of words, over at the Penny’s Project blog*, we’ve been sharing ways to do a kind act for a new person each day (like the character in “Stepping Into Sunlight”). One way that can have a huge impact is to offer praise, encouragement, or gratitude to a person who crosses our path. Stop by and see some other ideas!

Blessings!
Sharon

*In the novel, Stepping Into Sunlight, Penny Sullivan pulls out her little yellow notebook, and sets a goal to do a small kind act for a different person each day. Penny’s Project blog is a community notebook, where we can support each other as we participate in “Penny’s Project.”

About Sharon:
Sharon’s undergrad degree is in education, and she earned an M.A. in Communication from Regent University in 1986. She spent ten years as the artistic director of a Christian performing arts group, CrossCurrent. That ministry included three short-term mission trips to Hong Kong. She has been a church youth worker, a choreographer and ballet teacher, a home-school mom, a church organist, and a bookstore clerk. One day she’ll figure out what to be when she grows up, but in the meantime she’s pouring her imagination into writing. She’s published dozens of articles in magazines and book compilations, and released her first novel in 2006. In April, 2007, she was named “Writer of the Year” at Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference.

When she isn’t wrestling with words, Sharon enjoys speaking to conferences, retreats, and church groups. She and her family make their home in Minnesota.

Posted by jill, in Misc