More than Words

In Winnie-the-Pooh, “Piglet noticed that even though he had a Very Small Heart, it could hold rather a large amount of Gratitude” (A. A. Milne).

What’s true of Piglet is true of you and me. God has given us hearts that have a large capacity for gratitude. Do we, then, occasionally toss a few thank-yous in his direction, or do we have a truly grateful heart?

Words are pretty important in every area of life, but success, especially as God counts it, is far more than words. And this applies to more than being thankful.

Think about it. What’s more significant, the wedding vows or the way a couple lives together in love many years later?

A dad telling his kids to control their anger, or the way he fails to model self-control for them? “Don’t you dare raise your voice with me!” (Shouted.) “Don’t you ever talk that way to your mom!” (Daily disrespects her himself.)

Last week I had the pleasure of watching a MUTED video clip of my 1-year old twin grandsons at play. Not sure why I chose to watch silently, but I did.

One of the boys explores his brother’s face. Eventually his finger finds a mouth and, intrigued with the joyful novelty of wetness and slobber there, he lets it linger.

You know what’s coming!

His brother, equally intrigued with the novelty of a soft finger in his mouth, decides after a few seconds to chomp down with his incisors. One little boy’s delight turns to tears!

The entire mini-drama was understood without hearing a word. The little boy learned a lesson without mom speaking a word. Words are important, but much spiritual growth and fruitfulness, and many of the lessons God wants us to learn in life, depend on far more than words.

“For we know, ones dearly loved by God, that he chose you, for our gospel came to you not simply with words, but with the Holy Spirit’s power and deep conviction” (1 Thess. 1:4-5).