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christianity, Father, Jay Cookingham, longings end, Soulfari, Speech, trust
Jay Cookingham is an old friend of Sheila’s and an emerging friend of Michael’s. We highly recommend you visit Jay’s blog, Soulfari, often.
Speak clearly, if you speak at all; carve every word before you let it fall.”
- Oliver Wendell Holmes
Early in my life (grade school) I had a huge speech impediment. How bad was it? Well, let’s just say that I sounded like I was speaking in tongues long before I knew what that meant! I’m not sure how it happened (I suspect my worn out 4th grade teacher) but I found myself enrolled in a speech therapy class with a few other kids. We met once a week with a teacher-therapist person who had the unfortunate job of getting us all to speak clearly.
I don’t remember all the speaking issues represented in our sessions but one kid was a huge stutterer. Me…I was different, I slurred my way through the English language. When I got excited or nervous, I would slur all my words into one long word. Many, many consonants and vowels were injured along the way.
So, every week we would gather in a small room and try our best to repeat the words on the flash cards the speech expert would hold up…this was NOT a good plan. Between my slurring and the other kid’s stuttering I’m sure the other kids never had a chance to try their hand (or their tongue) at this exercise. After weeks of slurring and stuttering flash card madness the sessions suddenly stopped. I’m guessing we drove that poor woman to leave and join a nunnery, taking (happily) a vow of silence.
Since those days of slurring sloppiness, God has helped me overcome most of my slippery diction. What remains is mostly unnoticeable and something I use to good-naturedly poke fun at myself. However, for many years I was afraid to raise my voice, to speak in front of people despite the call I felt on my life. I allowed my speech impediment dictate my boldness instead of trusting the Father to help form the words correctly as they rolled off my tongue. It took years, but finally I learned how to speak up and say what was on my heart. I have no problem standing in front of people and speaking and even if I mispronounce a word (or a few dozen) it doesn’t keep me from sharing.
What made the difference?
Believing that God gave me voice…that there was value in what I had to share and even in the way I share it. I’m not the greatest orator, the most compelling speaker or the best communicator you can listen to…but I have a God given voice with a message uniquely mine.
And so do you.
The message of what God has done in your life is huge. It needs to be heard, it needs to be told…by you. It’s too valuable to be stilled by imagined inadequacies, by the enemy’s reminders of what you lack. There is power in the voice the Father has given you…all you have to do is speak up…and trust.
“For I will give you the right words and such wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to reply or refute you!” Luke 21:15 NLT
The message of what God has done in your life is huge. It needs to be heard, it needs to be told…by you. It’s too valuable to be stilled by imagined inadequacies, by the enemy’s reminders of what you lack. There is power in the voice the Father has given you…all you have to do is speak up…and trust.
Well said, Jay. Thanks for your contribution.
Brings to mind Revelation 12:11…
I am a rescued son of God…man that feels good to SAY and repeat. I’m blessed that He chooses to give me His voice. Thanks to you two for the honor of sharing here!
In our weakness, God’s glory is revealed. Where we feel inadequate, He enables. Where we fear, He overcomes. His work in us is without parallel.
Right on my brother…He shines through our weakness, making us strong in the process. Thanks Dusty!
Great thoughts Jay. An encouragement to all-those who have some type of fear/impediment and even to those who don’t. When we try to take the credit because we speak well, we might as well have an impediment (I Cor.13: 1). Thanks for a good one today to remind me I am His and I speak for Him.
You are definitely His my brother and your voice we need to hear! Thanks Bill for dropping by.
Yeah, I remember my time in speech therapy both in and out of school. How odd that the sessions ended just as I started High School. But these days I still tend to undertake a different speech therapy, and that’s a combination of speaking out, and knowing when not to speak at all.
That “sounds” like great therapy Ed…we probably all could use some of those sessions! Thanks Bro’!
My testimony is similar, Jay. I feel the same way–God put something inside me and He gave me the keys to unlock that if I trusted. It doesn’t matter what has to be overcome when He is on our side. One more thing, “slippery diction” sounds like either a fruity cocktail or jazz fusion band.
Thanks Jay!
LOL!, I agree “slippery diction” sounds like a great name for a band… I’m glad God freed you voice bro’…the world needs to hear the Father speak through you!
My speech therapy came in 1st or 2nd grade or both, I don’t quite remember. What I do remember was being teased by just about everybody. Trick or Treating was painful. The adults would make me say it over and over as they laughed. They weren’t all completely bad people, it was a different time. The problem with teasing a kid is similar to teasing an animal; it makes them mean. I still struggle with a mean streak and tend to tease, even in love… The little boys grow older, but we’re all still little boys in our heart.
Glad I followed Jason over, this post really resonates with me. Thanks for the heart and encouragement.
Floyd, thanks for sharing your story! I also remember the teasing and it certainly can make one mean. I have a very quick wit and was used sarcasm as a weapon. Thankfully, the Father got a hold of my heart and healed it…boy, did I need it! Appreciate you dropping by bro’