Articles
THE PROBLEM WITH WORDS
There is a 19th century folktale about a young fellow who went about town slandering the
town’s wise man. One day, he went to the wise man’s home and asked for forgiveness. The wise
man, realizing that this man had not internalized the gravity of his transgressions, told him that
he would forgive him on one condition: that he go home, take a feather pillow from his house,
cut it up, and scatter the feathers to the wind. After he had done so, he should then return to the
wise man’s house.
Though puzzled by this strange request, the young man was happy to be let off with so easy
a penance. He quickly cut up the pillow, scattered the feathers, and returned to the house.
“Am I now forgiven?” he asked.
“Just one more thing,” the wise man said. “Go now and gather up all the feathers.”
“But that’s impossible. The wind has already scattered them.”
“Precisely,” he answered. “And though you may truly wish to correct the evil you have
done, it is as impossible to repair the damage done by your words as it is to recover the feathers.
Your words are out there in the marketplace, spreading hate, even as we speak.”
How interesting it is that we, as human beings, so quick to believe the bad that others say
about someone; so accepting of the “news” contained in print and television tabloids, and so
ready to assume the worst regarding another’s actions, actually allow ourselves to believe that
the evil “we” spread about someone won’t really matter. Incredible that we can’t seem to
immediately and resolutely accept the fact that the gossip we speak can — and often does —
significant damage to that person.
A good story to remember as we go about telling tales. That being said, I would like to
gather some of those blowing feathers of my own. A couple of weeks ago in the sermon on
Malachi, I made reference to the importance of attending Harding University to find a faithful
spouse. The statement was in no way made to suggest there is no other place to find a faithful
marriage partner. I apologize for that misunderstanding and ask your forgiveness. Faithful
spouses may be found in many places, as can be attested to by many of our own church family
(U of A, UAM, SAU, etc.). The emphasis of the moment was the importance of choosing
carefully a marriage partner who will help you remain faithful to the Lord in all the “ups and
downs” faced in life, so as to hear “enter in good and faithful servant.” ~P. Mowrer
