“I’m sorry I wasn’t enough for you.”
There was no humor in her voice but he
hoped she was joking. Surely, she couldn’t be hurt by his hunger. Julia
wouldn’t meet his eyes, so he pulled her tight against him. Her rigidity melted
quickly in David’s strong embrace.”
-
Loathe
Your Neighbor ch. 17
Many
years ago, I spent some time with an awesome bunch of people when I did two
schools and two tours with YWAM, (Youth With A Mission). My friends and I had
an in joke which I won’t attempt to explain. The tag line was ‘that really
hurt me dude’. It was said in a mock emotionally injured tone. A joke. As I think
about that neat little slice of esotericism, I am reminded of Proverbs 26:18
& 19 which says, ‘Like a maniac who throws firebrands, arrows and death is
the man who deceives his neighbor and says “I am only joking.” We say a lot of
hurtful things to each other for the sake of a laugh, and most of it is
probably water off a duck’s back. If a ‘put down’ culture exists then those
within that culture know the rules. However, I think people tend to underestimate the power of
their words to injure people. Even, if only as a result of a misunderstanding,
words can be deadly. Those who have been burned by the cruel words of
others
are especially vulnerable to the attack of a maniac who throws firebrands. Do
your words give life to others?
