Words matter!
Sometimes we use too many!
One of my biggest growing edges when I started leading West was to learn to communicate in a “non-Andrea” manner!
I write like I talk/preach/teach. Which sometimes is not a bad thing . . . however, not if you were on the finance team.
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I’m a communicator at heart . . . so words matter. Every. Single. Word.
And I am sometimes gifted at using A LOT OF THEM AT ONCEwhile trying to make a point!
While that may be ok for some written communication . . . try being on a leadership team where I’m communicating about finances and oh – there goes such a cute kitten – and they have to follow my “logic” along with all the “fluff” or “rabbit trails.”
My emails would be pages long and I feel certain (although no one would ever want to hurt my feelings by telling me so bluntly) . . . I feel certain it was almost impossible to find the meaning in the emails.
It is difficult to follow my train of thought when I use too many words. Being succinct is something I continually work on! I now use bullet points, bold font, short and concise sentences.
I’ve made some progress but have a ways to go!
One of the best lessons I learned was you do not have to necessarily use A LOT of words to make a point! Sometimes short and sweet communicates the message just as effectively.
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The word “O” is one of those words that although short (one of the shortest words ever), it contains SUCH a punch!
It can express anything from regret to absolute exhilaration!
How amazing is that – that one word can communicate so many different things?
“O” can be in AWE of something, “O! How AMAZING!!!!”
Or it might be gratitude as a result of someone’s generosity. “O! Thank you SO MUCH!”
It might be relief. “O! Thank goodness I found you, I was so worried!”
It might be surprise. “O! I didn’t know you were standing there!”
It might be agony. “O! I am so sorry to hear about the death of your friend!”
No matter what – though, in each instance the word “O” conveyed something full of meaning, passion, and intensity.
That is why “O” is a word beneficial to use when we are calling upon God.
“O God . . .”
The phrase alone conveys passion . . . even if it goes on to be passion of an agonizing sort.
Ponder these verses and feel the emotion with the word “O.”
Psalm 8:1
“O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens.”
Or in Psalm 34:
‘O taste and see that the Lord is good;
happy are those who take refuge in him.
9 O fear the Lord, you his holy ones,
for those who fear him have no want”
Thoughts to Ponder:
When you think of the word “O” – what immediately jumps in your mind?
When you utter the word “O” . . . how can you use it to give praise and communicate joy?