Here in Ecuador my ministry is working with special needs kids who know and respond to few words at a time. I’ve had to take the time to learn which words and phrases work for each kid, often having to make sure I don’t say too much at a time and lose their attention as a result. This process has started to shift my vocabulary (especially because it’s in Spanish) and change the way I use words to help cultivate a more positive, receptive space.
I was reading Proverbs 18 when I started to gain a deeper understanding of words in general and the ability they hold when it comes to changing the atmosphere of a place, whether it be for better or worse. These verses stuck out to me-
4 Wise words are like deep waters; wisdom flows from the wise like a bubbling brook.
20 Wise words satisfy like a good meal; the right words bring satisfaction.
These verses, alongside a lot of Proverbs, talk about wisdom, understanding, and words in general. What stands out to me the most is how vital it is to truly understand the moment before speaking. In ministry it would be impossible for me to gain the trust of my special needs friends if I speak out unnecessarily day in and day out. The same thing goes for life. We’re called to pause, think for a moment, and even ask God what He has to say rather than our own selves.
This is a short and childlike lesson but it has been groundbreaking for me this week. Wisdom is something I’ve been trying to make sense of these past few months but I’m starting to realize that wisdom isn’t so much saying thought provoking things in conversations, rathe it’s more about knowing what is beneficial for the atmosphere and what’s not. It’s learning to choose meaningful words, not just saying something to fill the space. And as for life right now, my words are more useful when I mindfully stick to the simple things that won’t make a mess; the life giving, valuable words.
This blog is going in many different directions and honestly started out as scribbled down sentences written down in a moment of personal revelation. With this being said though, my prayer is that words aren’t silly space fillers but that they breathe life instead, speaking love and truth over the people around us. I pray for intentionality and simplicity in what can sometimes be confusing, overwhelming moments and that they satisfy hearts in a holy way, flowing from us each day. That is my prayer.
Life update: I am currently in Quito, Ecuador, my final country before going home. As mentioned, my ministry for the next two months is working at a special needs school. It is wrecking my heart more than I can explain. While there are most definitely difficult moments, I could not be happier to be here finishing out the race. God is teaching me so much through it all. Another thing I could not be more happier or excited about is the fact that I get to see my parents in a few short days!! They will be in Quito for a week living life alongside me. I’ve been looking forward to this week for months now and am incredibly anxious for it to get here. Please keep my parents and all the other moms and dads in your prayers as they make their way to Ecuador and serve with us for the week. It will be such a sweet time and I am expecting wonderful things.
Thanks for keeping up with my blogs for what is now going on eight months. The support, prayers and positive thoughts are always felt and appreciated more than I can explain. I truly am grateful for each of you 🙂
