Wednesday, September 6th:
Often we remain silent when we need to speak. Without words, it is hard to love well. When we say to our parents, children, lovers, or friends: “I love you very much” or “I care for you” or “I think of you often” or “You are my greatest gift,” we choose to give life.
It is not always easy to express our love directly in words. But whenever we do, we discover we have offered a blessing that will be long remembered. When a son can say to his father, “Dad, I love you,” and when a mother can say to her daughter, “Child, I love you,” a whole new blessed place can be opened up, a space where it is good to dwell. Indeed, words have the power to create life.
Henri Nouwen
For further reflection…
He asked me, “Can these bones live?” I said, “O Sovereign Lord, you alone know.” Then he said to me, “Prophesy to these bones…” So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them; they came to life and stood up on their feet… – Ezekiel 37: 3, 4, 10 (NIV)