The words we use to communicate to each other can be perplexing, powerful, and profound.  For instance, some words are perplexing to me, even confusing.  Why is it that doctors call what they do a ‘practice’?  Why is the man who invests all your money called a ‘broker’?  Why do they call apartments ‘a-part-ments’ when they are all stuck together?  Why is the word ‘abbreviation’ so long?  Why do we drive on ‘parkways’ and park on ‘driveways’?  And why, pray tell, is it that when you transport something by car it is called a ‘shipment’, but when you transport something by ship, it is called ‘car-go’?  It’s perplexing!

                Sometimes, when we try to translate words from the English language into other languages, they do not translate the same. For example, some popular commercial slogans just don’t work. Kentucky Fried Chicken’s “finger-lickin good” translated into Chinese comes out “eat your fingers off”.  Pepsi’s slogan “come alive with the Pepsi Generation” came out in Taiwan as “Pepsi will bring your ancestors back from the dead”.  Now that is really powerful stuff! When General Motors introduced the Chevy Nova in South America they were unaware that ‘no va’ means “it won’t go”.  Needless to say they did not sell many Novas in South America.  But the best one was Coors’ slogan, “Turn it loose”. When translated into Spanish, it said, “Drink Coors and get diarrhea”.  Who wouldn’t want to run out, get a six pack, and “turn it loose”?  Words can be perplexing.

                Words can also be powerful. Words can make us happy or sad. They can make us angry or fill us with joy. They can make us laugh or cry. They can have a healing way about them or they can hurt us deeply. Because they are so important we ask, “what’s the good word, “what’s the latest word”?  Or, we may say, “there goes a man of his word” or “ there’s a man of few words.” Parents say to children, “choose your words carefully because you may have to eat them.” Or, they may warn their children not to use any ‘four-letter words’. Words are really powerful.

                Words are also profound. I have often listened to the words at children’s sporting events.  Sometimes you will hear an over eager dad say, “get your head in the game” or “what were you thinking” or “come on, you can do better that”.  I imagine this may have embarrassed the child, maybe even shamed him or her.  But, I have also heard parents and grandparents cheer on their kids with, “you can do it” or “way to go” or “good hustle” or “good job” or “I’m proud of you”.

                When children hear these uplifting words, it gives them courage, confidence, and motivation. Nothing gets you going like a bunch of people cheering for you. It motivates you to try a little harder.

                Proverbs 16:24 says, “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones”. Let us always choose our words carefully and use only those words that will build others up and encourage them.  May I trouble you for one last puzzling question?  Why do I have to click on ‘start’ to exit my computer?