Sticks and Stones

In defense of a well-developed vocabulary…

Sometimes we get to apologize for the words we use. I am not referring to words that put others down, like calling someone stupid, foolish, unworthy or unlovable. I am referring to the big words in our vocabularies that we use easily because we know how to. Words like: magnanimous, erudite, supercilious, sagacious. Words of that ilk, which seem to make some people nervous because they don’t know their meaning and therefore they don’t know how to respond.

Sometimes we get to apologize for the fact that we read, and have read throughout our lives, and have allowed our imaginations to develop through the turn of words rather than flatten through the turn of a television knob. (Yes, I grew up the in era of knobs instead of buttons and click-wheels.)

Reasonable thought is developed through effort. Our minds are transformed by tackling the big words and mastering them; by reading and re-reading a passage until a concept becomes concrete or by following the layers of a past-century novel deemed too boring and too intricate for most. Or by simply looking up an unknown word in a dictionary and getting to know it.

If we use the occasional four-syllable word in the course of casual conversation, it’s not meant as a put down. We’re simply using our abilities and resources. Words are power. Others will take offense and often attack us (with words) when they believe they’re in the weaker position. We find we’re criticized—even ostracized—as being puffed up, haughty or stuck-up. However, we stand up to scrutiny because we can support our arguments with ideas that are often best expressed in multi-syllable words. We don’t have to hide behind emotional outbursts. We do not have to attack a person’s character in order to prevail in a discussion or to simply communicate an idea.

Ideas are formed through words. Beliefs are expressed in words. Faith is built through words. Words cause us to act. Words persuade. Thoughts, imaginings and convictions cannot be easily dissolved by undeveloped opinion and a banal vocabulary. Words are powerful things. The more you have of them, the more equipped you are.

So if any words used in these comments are offensive to you, please accept my apology. I’m only writing about what I know.

posted by Alvalyn Lundgren

Jerry Falwell: 1933-2007

Dr. Jerry Falwell, pastor, educator and leader, died this morning. Evidently his work here on earth is finished and so God took him home. He was 73 years old.

He was the founder of Liberty University in Virginia and the outspoken leader of the Moral Majority and Christian Conservatism in the ’80s and early 90s. He was a friend of presidents. No matter what people thought of him, several things can be rightly said and agreed upon about him:

He was passionate about what he believed, and did not compromise on those beliefs. As such, he was often labeled “intolerant” by those who believe we should be tolerant of everything.

He was consistent. We knew what to expect from him. He was a person of integrity.

He was influential for good. He made a difference in the lives of many people.

He bore up under ongoing ridicule from those who opposed him or wrote him off as a fanatic unworthy of being heard. He did not give up, but kept going. He was dedicated.

He responded to his critics with respect, and did not back down from his belief that what God says is true. He based his life work on that foundation. He did not ridicule those who disagreed with him.

When he made mistakes, he took responsibility for them. He did not hide or make excuses for himself, nor did he blame others for them.

He believed in goodness and in truth. He believed that certain things were right and a lot of things weren’t, and that human at any stage is valueable and worth fighting for.

He smiled a lot. A dour countenance was not his way, and he was definitely not an angry man. He did not yell or shout; he was quiet and firm.

With his death occurring only a few months after the death of Anna Nicole Smith, I cannot help making a comparison between the two: how they lived, their impact, and how they look from behind.

What did Smith contribute to the rest of us? What impact and influence did she have on the lives of others? How did she fill in the gap between the date of her birth and the date of her death? What did she believe? Did she help anyone become a better person? Did she stand for anything? We are fascinated by her life and more so by her death and the subsequent sparring that occurred because of it, but why? What did she do that was so impressive? Why did we honor her which so much notice? I don’t get it.

Falwell’s death is spoken of by reporters today in hushed tones. There is a quiet respect and admiration as the details of his death are given. There is no frenzy. From FoxNews to CNN there appears to be agreement across the board that this was a man of substance and influence. Why else would he have been interviewed only last week by CNN for his opinions on partial birth abortion, traditional families and God? It is clear that even the opposition respected his quiet confidence.

See you later, Jerry. I did not know you here on earth, but I look forward to catching up with you when I get to where you are.

Photo of Jerry Falwell courtesy of Jerry Falwell Ministries

How Good Do You Look From Behind?

In our fashion-forward era, we can measure people by their clothing, money, popularity, what they can get away with, etc. We choose our clothing and accessories very carefully so as to make just the right impression. We want make sure we’re remembered well and so that we’ll be welcomed again.

When we get dressed each day, we should begin not with the visible apparel but with what is unseen: our behaviors, attitudes and character. These are what make a truly lasting impression on people. We change our clothes at least once a day. We can’t change our character that easily.

What we leave behind in terms of how we handle the pressures, problems and stresses of life is telling. We can hide our character flaws for a little while, until we are put under pressure. It’s like when metal is heated to its melting point and the dross (the impurities) rise to the surface and are easily seen. It is then that our real character emerges and impresses people all around us. If our behavior drops like boulders onto people, we walk away leaving them broken, bruised, disappointed and wondering. Trust is broken. Relationship is compromised. It will take a lot of work to heal and mend, if that is even possible. But if we instead bear our circumstances with quiet confidence and gentleness, relationship builds. We will look really good from behind as people watch us go.

Are people glad to see us leave? Or are they glad we were there?