About the middle of the last century, a traveler was journeying along through what was then a remote part of South Africa. One day while smoking his pipe outside the hut in a native village, he noticed a group of little naked children playing what was evidently a native version of the time honored game of marbles. He watched the game idly for a while, and then something about the rough stones caught his attention. They were quite small pebbles, dull, but – here his pulse began to steeplechase. He spoke to the children’s father, with studied carelessness, and the Kaffir said, “Oh yes, the children like these little stones. They have some more in the hut, “and he brought forth a small basket containing several more.
Repressing his excitement, the traveler took out a large plug of tobacco, worth perhaps twenty or thirty cents in our money, and said, “I would like to take the stones home for my children. I will give you this tobacco for them. Are you willing?” The Kaffir laughed and said, “I am robbing you but if you insist, all right,” and the bargain was sealed – which not only enriched the stranger but led in time to the great discovery of the South African diamond fields.
The fate of the Kaffir is really the fate of most human beings. Man holds a fabulous treasure in his possession – the power of the Spoken Word – and yet, in most cases, he does not know it.
The Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure … to bless all the work of thine hand… (Deuteronomy 28:12).
Words are powerful things. While they won’t stop a bullet, they are more powerful than an army. They may not stop cancer, but they can create cures. They can create or heal a thousand injuries. They can inspire great good or horrendous calamity. They can lift up or tear down; create or destroy, enlighten or darken.
Remember, God said “let there be light”. Also keep in mind that it was “The Word”, who was God’s Son that created us and everything that is created. The Word became flesh, was crucified and resurrected to save us. The entire creation and our salvation exist because of words.
Thoughts become words, words become deeds and deeds become things. So, when we speak, let our voices claim all of the power and creative force that our words hold. And, let use all that power as God intended to lift up those around us, change the world for good and to create gardens in which love, peace and joy are made manifest here in the “real world’. Just as God did when he created the first garden, we are empowered to create our universe in the same way. Then our lives, and those around us will be filled with treasure greater than diamonds that will last forever.
Creating diamonds,
Stan
Good Morning Garden 