Words Matter

Male. Female. Student. Professional. Mother. Father. Grandparent. White. Black. Young. Old. Short. Tall. Intelligent. Mediocre. Mental disability. Active. Lazy. Loved. Despised. Daughter. Son. Married. Single. Rich. Poor. Blue eyes. Red hair. Skinny. Chubby. Athletic. Amputee. 

There are an infinite number of words that can describe who you are, ranging from physical characteristics to socioeconomic characteristics and everything in between.

What words would you use to describe yourself? 

Being in a country other than your own often brings about many questions and assumptions.  When I walk down the street I hear “Mzungus. Mzungus. Mzungus.” Some kids will run away because they are terrified of you.  Others will wave and their smiles are so big when you acknowledge them. Some children run up to you and just want to be held. Yet others will come up to you begging for money because they believe that you hold the riches of the world. 

When we sat with some of the women in their houses, they were so honored to have 6 white people.  They thought that we were special.  I’m here to tell you, we are no more special than them. And we told them that. We spoke truth into them. We spoke life into them.

Words. They can be uplifting or they can destroy.  Proverbs 18:21 says “the tongue has power of life or death.” 

Many of these women have been told they are unworthy. Useless. Unloveable.  A lot of it is because they are poor, parent less, childless, or Tutsi. Their circumstances and family structures have defined who they are. 

A question I often get here is, “Are you married?” And when you are 29 and tell people “no” they look at you like you have 15 heads-in awe and in disbelief.  And honestly, sometimes that stings. Would I loved to be married and have kids? Absolutely.  It’s just not God’s timing yet. 

I didn’t realize how much women are defined by their marital status and children here.  It would be better for a woman to be divorced and have kids than not be married at all.  At least it gives her a title of “mother”.  

Whoever you are reading this- I’m here to tell you that your physical characteristics, socioeconomic status, political affiliation, intelligence, etc do not define you.

We met with one woman who after her father died said she was no longer loved. Her mother abused her. She felt invisible, unseen, and unknown everywhere she went, even at church. As she shared her story, I was grateful that I was sitting next to her. I grabbed her hand and didn’t let go until we left.

Don’t let others define you.  Be defined by how God sees you.  Humans are created by God, in His image.  He was very pleased.  He knit YOU, yes YOU, while in your mother’s womb. That means there was intentionality behind it!  He considers every life precious.  You are valued above the birds of the sky, and look at how He takes care of them!!

So refine your mind today!  Don’t let the things of this world bring you down. You are a daughter or a son, who has a Father who cares for you and LOVES you!! He knows your thoughts even before you can form them to speak out. He walks before you, beside you, and behind you.  You are an heir. His DNA runs through yours!  

CHILD OF GOD, know who you are, who you belong to, and who LOVES you beyond all measure.