Sermon Preached By Rev. Patti M. Smith - 9/5/1999

Romans 13:8-14

Happy New Year!

No, I haven't lost it. I do know it is September 5, Labor Day Weekend. But this is a new year of sorts. Over the summer, at least for some of us, we tend to be in a "mosey" mode. The pace of life and sometimes even the tasks are different. When Labor Day comes, that's the signal to pick up the pace. For children, youth, their parents and teachers, it's time to return to school and all the many activities which accompany school. For others of us, it's more traffic and more busyness. For all of us, it is an opportunity for NEW BEGINNINGS!

In the Beginning, God! Through a word, God created. Today I want to talk about what we create with our words. I have selected from the "GOOD NEWS Bible" some words of Jesus which are especially helpful to me in making my life work better:

"Let your YES mean YES, and your NO mean NO."

"Don't judge, and you will not be judged. For in the same way that you judge people, you yourself will be judged."

"Why do you see the splinter in your brother's eye, but don't notice the log that is in your own eye? First take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly enough to take the splinter out of your brother's eye."

So if you don't judge, you will not be judged. If you don't condemn, you will not be condemned. If you forgive, you will be forgiven. If you give, things will be given to you; good measure will be poured into your lap, pressed down, shaken together, and overflowing. For the measure by which you give is the measure by which you receive. Therefore, whatever you want others to do to you, do to them.

My friend and colleague, Reverend Sandy Taylor, introduced me to a book titled Silver Boxes: The Gift of Encouragement. It was written by Florence Littauer. Mrs. Littauer is a writer, public speaker, and frequent leader of workshops. She tells a story at the beginning of her book Silver Boxes. I want to share that story with you.

Florence was scheduled to lead a workshop with the staff of the rather lethargic flock in a typical old New England-style church. It was the kind of church where people came early to get the back seats (as if sitting up front would make them too spiritual!).

She had come a day early in order to experience Sunday worship with the congregation. Seeing her in the congregation, the pastor introduced her and invited her to come forward and give a word of greeting. As she was working her way out of the pew, he added, "In fact, why don't we have her give the children's sermon?"

Children's sermons were totally absent from her experience, but not wishing to seem unprepared, or to lose her credibility, she had to think fast! Fortunately for her, for that congregation, and for us, a scripture verse which was a great influence on her life as well as the life of her family came to mind. Ephesians 4:20. After gathering the children, she quoted the verse. I offer it now from the Good News translation.

DO NOT USE HARMFUL WORDS, BUT ONLY HELPFUL WORDS. THE KIND THAT BUILD UP AND PROVIDE WHAT IS NEEDED SO THAT WHAT YOU SAY WILL DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HEAR YOU.

What a powerful message! Remember the words of Jesus: "What you want others to do to you, do to them." We might paraphrase that to read "What you want others to say to you, say to them."

Just this week on National Public Radio I hear of a research project on the effects of words in the workplace. The researchers found that life worked better when kind and encouraging words were spoken! I could have told them that, and they could have avoided all that work!

Back to our story. Together, Florence Littauer and the children unpacked the scripture verse. They talked about words that are helpful and those which are harmful. They talked about wht it means to "build up" as opposed to "tear down." We are not to say bad words, but good words that will build each other up. They discussed words as a way of reflecting God's love—God's grace, which is the gift of God's unmerited, unearned love. Grace is a gift we do not necessarily deserve. Paul wrote this verse to the church in Ephesus because he had heard that the nice people were saying unkind things about each other. Even though they were good Christians, they were saying bad words, and Paul need to advise them on what should—or should not—come out of their mouths.

Next, the children looked at how the words of Paul written to people so long ago had meaning for them now. They began to identify and name ways their own words could be hurtful. "Swearing." "Vulgar language." "Gossip." "Talking down to others." "Saying nasty words to your mother."

Then the children talked about how we can make our words good to the use of building up. "Say nice things to others." "Give out compliments." "Be cheerful." "Help our parents when they're cranky." "Tell the truth."

As I personally have reflected on the words of those children in that New England church, I remember a time when a person who was very important to me said some words that very nearly kept me from sharing my God-given gift of singing. In a context I have forgotten and am sure was not meant for ill, she said to me, "Patti, you do not have a solo voice." It was more than twelve years before someone else spoke a different word to me, a word of affirmation and encouragement. It was only then that I could begin to believe that perhaps I had a gift which could bring joy.

Back to our story . . . After more conversation, Florence explained that when our words come out of our mouths, they should be like little presents all wrapped up to be given away . . . Then one little girl stood up, stepped into the aisle, and said loudly to the whole congregation, as if serving as interpreter, "What she means is that our words should be like little silver boxes with bows on top."

And a little child shall lead. What a powerful visual symbol to help us to remember the importance, the impact, and the power of our words! All summer I have been collecting and wrapping little boxes in silver paper and putting bows on top to give to you to help you remember these words of Paul:

DO NOT USE HARMFUL WORDS, BUT ONLY HELPFUL WORDS. THE KIND THAT BUILD UP AND PROVIDE WHAT IS NEEDED, SO THAT WHAT YOU SAY WILL DO GOOD TO THOSE WHO HEAR YOU.

Remember at home, at school, at work, at play. Remember that your words are little presents giving away God's love.

I have a present for each household. This is a present you do not unwrap. Keep it in a special place in your house to help you remember. A little silver box with a bow on top!