Words Reveal

You must be from the south,” a man at a Montana rummage sale commented.

Larry and I had lived almost sixty years in southwest MO before our move to Montana. It soon became common for strangers to comment about our pronunciation of some words. Our speech had given them the clue of our origin. We didn’t mind, and found it interesting that some people could detect the difference in our speech.

Then our move to Texas brought comments from Texas natives. This time it was, “You must be from the north.” Hmm, our speech was different again.

The questions always gave us an opportunity to tell about our past locations We expounded upon the tourist sights, area food, job opportunities, and friends we left behind.

I hope people can just as easily tell that I’m a Christian by my speech and actions—different from the world. That’s even more important than detecting where I’m from in the United States.

Living in Montana, Texas and Missouri are just temporary locations. My eternal citizenship is heaven. Hopefully, my words and manner of speaking are giving strangers the clue that I am a Christian and the desire to want to know about my future home.

“If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through

Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever.” 1 Peter 4:11 (NIV)

Helen Hoover