Dear Reader, lately I've been reading more and more about the effect of our words. I know, not a new topic. But one thing has added to my thinking, and it's the effects of our words, good and not so good, on ourselves. Will you join me in digging a little deeper?
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Way back in the last century, Mama and my mother-in-law thought Burt Reynolds, then a very popular actor, was pretty cool. Just a good old boy type, with an endearing grin.
I'm not sure which came first, the stage show, or the Burt Reynolds movie, but despite the topic, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,"seemed to have broad appeal.
Whenever I think of saying or hearing the words, "I will always love you," I think of the love song chorus from that particular movie. (And I promise, Tom and I have only seen it once.)
Okay, Dear Reader, if you just fell off your chair, please carefully get back up. And please listen to Dolly Parton's heartfelt lyrics in the chorus.
I'm not sure which came first, the stage show, or the Burt Reynolds movie, but despite the topic, "The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas,"seemed to have broad appeal.
Whenever I think of saying or hearing the words, "I will always love you," I think of the love song chorus from that particular movie. (And I promise, Tom and I have only seen it once.)
Okay, Dear Reader, if you just fell off your chair, please carefully get back up. And please listen to Dolly Parton's heartfelt lyrics in the chorus.
Now, wasn't that nice, Dear Reader? I pray you hear those words often in your life, from a spouse,a sweetheart, parent, or child. "I will always love you." That's the best, isn't it?
We all know, though, that sometimes "always" is a lot shorter than we expected. Sometimes, we wish we had uttered those treasures sooner, before it was too late. Or maybe we long in the deepest part of ourselves to have heard them, at least once.
Here's the most amazing news ever, Dear Reader: it's NEVER too late to tell or hear God say, "I will always love you." When He says "always", it's forever, everlasting, "to infinity and beyond!"
We all know, though, that sometimes "always" is a lot shorter than we expected. Sometimes, we wish we had uttered those treasures sooner, before it was too late. Or maybe we long in the deepest part of ourselves to have heard them, at least once.
Here's the most amazing news ever, Dear Reader: it's NEVER too late to tell or hear God say, "I will always love you." When He says "always", it's forever, everlasting, "to infinity and beyond!"
the Lord appeared to him[a] from far away.[b]
I have loved you with an everlasting love;
therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.
Jeremiah 31:3 NRSV
When I read or hear about the power of words, "I will always love you," is my default. And knowing that I know that God speaks those words into my spirit every day of my life brings strength and comfort when other words are not so kind. What a treasure He has given us!
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