NOTE: As a leader, I know you have had those moments when ministry confronted you with a situation where you were speechless, or at best, your words were inadequate. Yet, so often God gives us those words at just the right moment, so that we can be a blessing and share truth that is beyond us. As you face the challenges of your ministry, may the Lord God, who filled the stuttering and reluctant Moses with powerful words before Pharaoh, fill your speech with this grace, comfort, power, and truth!

    Lord, sometimes there are no words. Oh, there are words, lots of words, and too many words. But, they are not the right words. Not words that help. Not words that comfort. Not words that change anything. Just words.

    Lord, I wish I had the words to ease the pain of a father who watched his son suffer and die. I wish I had the words to comfort him. I wish I had the words to assure him that it will get easier. I wish I had the words that would fill the void that he aches to fill. I wish I had the words that would make him believe his own words that “he is better off.” Lord, I wish I had the words.

    Lord, I wish I had the words to explain to the grieving wife why she is now alone. I wish I had the words to help her feel the love that surrounds her from the rest of her family, and the friends who grieve with her. I wish I had the words that would make sense of something that makes no sense. Lord, I wish I had the words.

    Lord, I wish I had the words for the wife of several decades who now sees only a shell of the man who once cherished her and cared for her needs. I wish I the words that could help her endure another day knowing that he no longer knows her. I wish I had the words that could lighten her load and bring joy to her life. Lord, I wish I had the words.

    Lord, I wish I had the words to ease the ache of the mother who longs to be with her children. I wish I had the words that could convince her that one day her dream will come true. I wish I had the words that open the doors that would make things happen just the way she wants them to. Lord, I wish I had the words.

Lord, I wish I had the words.

    Lord, I wish I had the words for the mother who is watching her daughter grow up much more quickly that she wants to believe possible. I wish I had the words to assure her that her daughter is growing and maturing according to Your plan. I wish I had the words to convince her that she is a really good mother, and that You are pleased with her. Lord, I wish I had the words.

    Lord, I wish I had the words for the Dad who loves his daughter with all his heart that would comfort him when he thinks about her one day finding another man to be first in her heart. I wish I had the words that encourage him as he continues to love her, and gradually release her. I wish I had the words to reassure him that he will always have a place in her heart that no one can ever fill. Lord, I wish I had the words.

    Lord, I wish I had the words to express how helpless I feel when I try to find the words to help the people I love. I wish I had the words to explain to them how I cherish each and every one of them, and how blessed I feel having them as part of my life. I wish I had the words to convince them I would do anything in my power to ease their pain when they hurt, to bring them joy when they have sadness, to refresh their spirits when they are weary. Lord, I wish I had the words.

    Lord, I wish I had the words to express to You how very much I love You and appreciate Your daily provision for me and for those I love. I wish I had the words to express the joy I feel to be a husband, a father, and a servant in Your Kingdom. Lord, I wish I had the words to say all the things that are in my heart, but all I have are these words.

    Lord, please accept my words.

© 2001, Tom Norvell. Used by permission. A Norvell Note is a weekly email message from Tom Norvell. Check it out!

Title: "I Wish I Had the Words"
Author: Tom Norvell
Publication Date: December 4, 2001

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