Tuesday night is story and/or song night in our home. When I need to come up with something creative I typically call on a good spoonerism. A spoonerism is when you switch the first sound of two different words. For example the story character tonight was Jewis Lames (instead of Lewis James). Jewis was a cowboy who would ride from town to town defending all that is good. Tonight he defended a lady who had her money taken by a gang of thieves. Jewis (with his brave father) outwitted the crooks and brought them to justice. This particular character has gotten a lot of mileage through the years. I even catch Lewis playing Jewis Lames, usually holding one of his toy guns, at times during an average week.
Words, twisted or plain, can be powerful. I captured my 13, 11, 10 and 8 year old daughters, and my 5 year old son with a simple story. They couldn’t leave. They wanted more. I could have kept the younger ones for hours if I had the energy. The older kids…not so much. Words have a limit as you get older. You are less gullible, less trusting, less believing. For example, I can tell my 10 year old daughter that she is beautiful and her face lights up. I tell my wife the same thing, and she first takes inventory of how she feels. She may or may not believe me.
Things are going well for Tara. She is getting stronger every day. But her body still feels weak and broken and that discourages her. There is still plenty of joy. We are refining the words we say to each other and our family and friends; practicing to make them more useful. Life is too short to mince words. We want them to count.
Oh that the words we say, hear and read would be penetrating to our souls. What words have power to affect our lives? Spoonerisms that might capture our imagination? We are older now. We have heard it all. The words that still hold power for us are words from God. Tested words. Ones that have saved souls before, and will again. Ones that have healed and have also given comfort to the grave. Other words that impact us are from selfless family and friends who serve us. There are very few words that they say, but because of their actions, those few words give us great joy and encouragement.
Speaking of too many words, I need to get to sleep.
Perspectives From The Tree Tops 
Some words for you and your beautiful family…
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
the Holy One of Israel, your Savior.
Isaiah 43:1-3
All True…this prayer in an email from a friend who’s husband (a pastor from WI) found out he has an inoperable liver tumor (originated from melanoma) yesterday here in Rochester.
“Abba, I abandon myself into your hands. Do with me what you will. Whatever you may do, I thank you. I am ready for all; I accept all. Let your will be done in me and all your creatures. I wish no more than this, O Lord. Into your hands, I commend my spirit. I offer it to you with all the love of my heart, for I love you, Lord, and I give myself, surrender myself into your hands without reserve, with boundless confidence, for you are my father.”
You are continually in our thoughts and prayers. It seems that with the chemo your energy will wax and wane, but will return – you are in the throes of this course and we pray for The Lord to sustain you each day.
Spoonerisms is a new word for me Jay. It immediately reminded me of a childhood memory. We would talk in “pig Latin “. The first letter of words were put @ the end . Then you emphasize the sound of that letter @ the end of the word.Example ,ewisL amesJ! Anyway we had great fun,laughing @ the silly sounds and names we were speaking. Your gift of writing continues to inspire many Jay. Thank you for an update on our Tara. Our daily prayers continue for her physical strength to return along with everyone’s endurance during this extreme trial . Faith hope and love abound and the greatest of these is LOVE! Many remain praying from CL. Love, Aunt Cathy& Uncle Mike
I love it! Many would never guess it, but Mike is pretty funny with words (never knew they were called “spoonerisms”). A theme song for a radio program became, “I’ve anchored my mole in the raven of hest” (instead of, “I’ve anchored my soul in the Haven of Rest). And when the movie “Small Soldiers” came out when the boys were young, they wanted Mike to make a sign for their fort. So he did. But it said “Small Shoulders Club.” And this doesn’t exactly count as a spoonerism, but it is seasonally appropriate, as it is my favorite Easter Hymn: Low in the gravy lay Jesus by Savior. : ) : ) Hallelujah! Christ Arose!
Always, always, Jay, your words encourage us. Thank you. And thank you for being so diligent in writing everyday to keep us posted. We rejoice when we hear an encouraging word and pray many times throughout each day for all of you. Bless you this day. Ed and Julie