There's No Such Thing As An Idle Conversation

Remember last week’s story about Dee? Well, this is part two, but the chronology could be a little confusing; because this is a revised rerun of the original two-part story published in the Portsmouth Daily Times on May 14th and July 9th, 2006. So let me try to set things in order.
Dee was admitted to our hospice program about 13 years ago. It was at that time that I met her daughter, Debi, in the lobby of Mercy Hospital. Debi shared how her mother always told her, “You’ll always be my horse even if you never win a race.” (Part One) What amazing grace, unconditional love and acceptance; the type of love that frees a person to risk, to step out from behind their defenses and pretenses, to become who they are. It’s a love that extinguishes the fear of rejection.

I was so impressed, and not wanting to lose the lesson, that I scribbled down some notes and kept them in a file. It wasn’t until 10 years later, that I had the opportunity to publish the first part of Dee’s story in the Portsmouth Daily Times.

I hadn’t talked with Debi since that day in the lobby at Mercy Hospital. But would you believe that Debi just happened to be in town, ten years later, on the very day her mother’s story was originally published in the Portsmouth Daily Times? Debi e-mailed me the following day. We both learned a lesson about “idle conversations”. I’ll let Debi speak for herself:

“Mr. Hardin, I am Debi Justice Bowling, daughter of Dee Justice, who you mentioned in your article "She’s my horse..." It just so happens that I was in town this weekend when extended family read your article and called. It came as quite a surprise to say the least. I found it interesting that a conversation from years ago could be revisited and shared more than a decade later…Thank you for revisiting, and more importantly, using our story to minister to others. You also shared how you did not understand how salvation could be so simple. What you did not know is that one of Mother's last nights she too questioned the simplicity of salvation. She had received the Lord several years before her illness, but in those last days wanted assurance. During that night she was blessed with a dream of heaven. She woke with a radiant smile. When I asked, she simply said "It is so beautiful." She was given the assurance and peace that only God can give, and it showed.

Again thank you for sharing our story. To me the lesson that I want to share with my children, is that there is no such thing as an idle conversation. Our words do make an impression, good or bad. We should always be aware of that. Sincerely, Debi Bowling.”

Our words are powerful! They can inspire; they can edify and encourage; but they can also discourage and tear down. I believe we underestimate the impact and eternal significance of what we say. But Jesus didn’t: “…I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give an account of it in the Day of Judgment. For by your words you will be justified and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matthew 12:36-37)

And since we’ll give an account for “every idle word”, maybe we’d be wise to embrace some Biblical advice: “ Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification(building up), according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29)