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| Our Words are Like Feathers |
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Words are powerful! Words once they are spoken can not be taken back. Have you ever said something, only to wish the moment you said it to take them back?
I want to tell a story that I heard some time ago. A lady went to her village Priest and asked him "Father, I have a problem with my words, I gossip, I lie, I insult, and am not very proud of my behavior at all. I wish to confess my sins and receive forgiveness." "Yes my daughter, it is indeed a very grevious sin to speak evil of others and to destroy them with your words." He paused for a moment and said to her, "My daughter, before you are forgiven of your trespasses I would like you to do this simple act for me. "Will you do it?" He asked kindly. "Why yes Father, I really want to be forgiven of this. What would you have me do?" she inquired. The Father clearly gave instructions to her as follows: "I want you to take a feather pillow and bring it to me at the steps of the church." "Will you do this?" he asked sternly. "Yes, Father I will do ask you asked." though she thought it was a peculiar request. Later that day she met the priest at the steps of the church. To her surprise, the Priest met her with a knife and demanded that she hand over the feather pillow. He promptly gutted the pillow allowing the feathers to spill all over the steps of the church. "OK" he said, "Come back tomorrow and we will continue." The lady left bewildered and wondered why he destroyed that pillow and wondered what this had to do with her forgiveness. The next day came and she met the Priest at the church. "I have come back Father as you have asked of me." she said sheepishly. "Good, Great! Let's go back to the steps shall we?" he said with a grin. Well, as they arrived at the church steps the Priest asked, "Where are all the feathers my daughter?" "Well, I don't know Father" I suppose they could be anywhere as the wind could have carried them off to the four corners of the world by now." she quipped. "Ah" he nodded, "I could not have said it better myself." "Huh?" The lady questioned? "What do mean?" The wise Priest paused for a moment looking directly into her eyes and lovingly said, "My daughter, our words are much like those feathers. Once they are spoken and out of our mouths like the feathers out of the pillow who knows where they go?" "I see" she nodded. Is this all Father? May I be forgiven now?" " Well my child, One more thing is necessary for your forgiveness." "What would that be? almost taking a tone with the Priest. "I would like for you to go and collect those feathers and put them back into this pillow case." "What??" she exclaimed with a loud voice. "But Father that is impossible!" "Yes, Yes, he nodded" "It is the same with our words once spoken there is no way to get them back." "Oh Father, I understand what you are saying." "Do you truly understand my daughter of God?" "Yes, Father I do." as she bowed her head in shame as tears began to fall from her eyes. "You have received what you have sought. You are forgiven, now go and sin no more."
4:29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.
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| To add a comment to "Our Words are Like Feathers" |
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| April 16, 2008 |
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| How true...... Yes it can be forgiven, but once the words do get out it's impossible to take them back. The hurt from something like that stays a long long time. I've heard that it takes 10 encouraging comments to make up for 1 discouraging one. I don't think that's accurate though, I think it takes a lot more. Thank you for the great story. God Bless |
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| April 16, 2008 |
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| oh, how true this is.........you find some amazing ways to bring to light things that we never stop and ponder......God uses you in a powerful and unique way.........keep these teaching coming......luv ya |
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| April 16, 2008 |
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| What a wonderful story. Thank you for sharing this valuable lesson! |
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| April 16, 2008 |
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| I'll never look at a feather pillow the same again!! Thank you for sharing may the feathers be planted in our hearts to rise up and tickle our nose to cause us to pause before speaking! |
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| April 16, 2008 |
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Jetta Bug: I am honored to have such a good student of the Word as you! You are growing by leaps and bounds!
Thanks Hedi! You are welcome!
Cheryl: That is an awesome Proverb and a wonderful prayer. If only I could learn to think before I speak!! |
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| April 17, 2008 |
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This brought tears to my eyes. I prayed about this just last night, and asked for God's Divine Intervention. Our family has been under so much stress; for over a year. I told God that I just could not bear much more... The story? Oh, it is true! |
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| April 20, 2008 |
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| I speak peace to you Joey. I am so glad to be a blessing. |
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| April 20, 2008 |
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| This is awesome!!!! |
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| May 25, 2008 |
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| A great illustration! Glad you posted a link in Carrie Ann's blog! |
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| May 25, 2008 |
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| Mike: Isn't that a great story? I heard it when I was a kid, and I don't even know where. I rewrote it, and made it my own. I love it and keeps me honest for sure! |
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| May 25, 2008 |
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| This is one to keep!!!!!! Thanks! |
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| October 22, 2008 |
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| Great post brother I enjoyed the story. |
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| October 22, 2008 |
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| Thanks Pastor |
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