Shining Words
And as she was having great difficulty in childbirth, the midwife said to her, “Don’t despair, for you have another son” (Genesis 35:17).
Scripture: Genesis 30:22-24; 35:16-20
Song: “Shine”
As a young woman, Catherine worked as a midwife in Turkey. Now, in her senior years, she is a palliative-care nurse living in Sweden. Catherine has witnessed both the beginning of life and the end—sensitive seasons that require sensitive speech. When I met Catherine, I immediately saw her gentle spirit and the special gifting she has to comfort her patients.
When Rachel was giving birth to Benjamin, her midwife knew she was in distress. She may even have known Rachel’s life was in danger. But instead of focusing on the dire circumstances, the midwife spoke reassuring words to the dying mother. She drew Rachel’s attention away from her pain and helped her focus on the hope and joy that her prayer from long ago was being answered: Her son was about to be born.
We may not all be trained as caregivers, but we can learn how to say the right thing at the right time by asking God to teach us proper speech. Verses from the book of Proverbs remind us of the beauty of opportune words. “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver” (Proverbs 25:11, KJV). “A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word” (Proverbs 15:23).
Dear God, help us learn how to speak uplifting and encouraging words to those who are in the middle of emotional situations. In Jesus’ name, amen.