Sometimes when I’m reading a verse from Scripture, I land on a word and it adheres effortlessly to my spirit. The word will become so entangled in my thoughts that I can’t get it out of my head until I write about it. I like to think this is The Holy Spirit whispering to me, and not my inclination to over-analyze the English language.

My first stop is usually the dictionary or a well-used Thesaurus. I inspect the array of synonyms and marvel at the nuances of communication. We live in a world where words are often bandied about as if they are unimportant and can be erased or at least rearranged for our convenience. The truth that no dictionary or Thesaurus dares to impart is that words are powerful. Words communicate our thoughts. Our thoughts shape our actions.  Our actions reveal our hearts.