"Learning a New Word"

 

“Learning a New Word”

 

In a “Dennis the Menace” cartoon years ago the tow-headed mischief machine’s father came home and observed his son sitting in the corner. His wife explained why: “He learned a new word today!” In another panel Dennis was in his toy truck and his mom said, “I don’t care if you are a truck driver. I don’t want to hear that word again!” So learning new words isn’t always a good thing.

Early in my college freshman year my professor in writing class suggested we buy a good dictionary which I did and it served me well for many years. But as time went on some words I ran across in my reading weren’t included because they’d been created as our society changed. (The most recent edition of the Oxford English Dictionary includes about 1600 new words and phrases from the previous one.) So we’re continually being exposed to new words and expressions. Taking some liberties with Ecclesiastes 12:13: “Of making many words there is no end….”

During one of our trips to Honduras our missionary contact asked Karen and me to meet with a national pastor and wife who were struggling with their relationship and ministry. In the course of our conversation (which the missionary’s Honduran wife translated) we found that the pastor had overcommitted himself to his work and neglected his family. I said to him, “There’s a word you need to learn that’s the same in English and Spanish.” After translating I told him the word: “NO!” along with an explanation that he couldn’t do everything but needed to delegate some tasks to others and concentrate on what he did best. (I had been there and done that!) I’ve lost track of this couple after 20+ years but pray that they reset their priorities and prospered in their relationship and ministry.

The phrase “one thing” appears at least six times in Scripture, all expressing emphasis on what’s important for us in God’s sight. We may encounter those who are offended if we say ”No” to their request (or agenda for us) but we can ask with Paul, “Am I now trying to win the approval of (people), or of God?” (Galatians 1:10) and follow Jesus’ counsel, “Simply let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes’, and your ‘No’, ‘No’….” (Matthew 5:37, emphasis added) and learn to use an old word in a new (and hopefully better) way.

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan