Not My Own

Many years ago, I participated in a “Girls’ Night Out” where a bunch of gals would gather monthly in each others’ homes bringing food to share and topics of interest to discuss. One night when I hosted, someone left a casserole dish at my house.

After many failed attempts trying to figure out whose it was, I just kept it. Every time I use it, which is often, I think of those times with fond memories.

This week I accidentally chipped the corner of it.

As soon as it happened, I thought, “Well, it was never really mine to begin with.”

The next thought that crossed my mind is the one that caused me to pause and took my breath a bit.

“Nothing really is.”

This thought, which may or may not have been mine, certainly gave me something to ponder.

While I know it to be true, that is, everything we have is a gift from God. It is easy to forget.

I had several soulful conversations this week, three in particular, that really shed light on this for me.

In each of the three incidents, it was brought to my attention that the words I said resonated with them on a deep level.

Now, when I think about “words,” I think “vocabulary.” If you knew my Reading / Vocabulary SAT Score, it would make you gasp.

Truth be told, there was some shame around this for me.

In fact, when my now husband and I were dating, I felt the need to share this with him. It was as if I was asking, “Will you still love me, if you know this about me?”

My husband does not always say the most socially graceful things. This time his answer was perfect.

Thank God.

He said it was probably because I grew up in a home where English was not my parents’ first language.

I knew then, like I know now that that was not the reason. It did, however, make me feel good and gave a plausible explanation for the situation.

This week, after the third person commented on my words, I welled up with tears and was left speechless.

What I realized more than ever before is that, while these words come through me, they are not my own.

It is a gift. It comes from the Holy Spirit.

I want to be a good steward of it.

Remember, we are all invited to “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:22

Wow . . .

“Hear the word of the Lord.”