1st Sunday Devotional – Footprints We Leave Behind

Ann H GabhartAnn's Posts, One Writer's Journal 20 Comments

I’m sure nearly all of us can remember being the first outside after a snowfall when the ground was a smooth, beautiful landscape of untouched white. Freshly fallen snow seems to shout an invitation to get outside and see the transformed world. And then we tramp through the snow leaving boot tracks and maybe, if you’re like me and walk with furry friends, the dogs’ crisscrossing trails in the snow. While I sometimes hate spoiling the pristine beauty of a snowswept field, at the same time, it’s fun being the first and perhaps only person to track through the new snow.

We haven’t had snow on the ground here so far this winter. The only tracks I’ve left on my walks are muddy ones that might be washed away if it rains more. But even when no snow is on the ground and the mud is dry and hard, I leave tracks whether I see them or not. Sometimes when my dog, Frankie takes off on his own checking out this or that enticing scent and I keep walking, he will come flying out later his nose to the ground following my trail until he sees me.

Visible footprints in the snow or our scent a dog can follow are not the only trails we leave as we go through life. We also leave trails behind us of our actions and our words.

“A bad word whispered will echo a hundred miles.” ~Chinese Proverb

Words are an audible track that can linger along our life trails for years and years, especially if the spoken or written words were unkind or thoughtless. Sometimes the dark smudge of such a footprint can be unintended, words misunderstood. At times, we might not realize we’re stepping on someone’s feelings with a heavy tread.

A few words echo around in my head like that. Some of them might not have even meant to be upsetting or personal, but for this or that reason, the words stabbed me in a tender spot and got stuck in my thoughts. Even worse is when I have uttered words that were careless or unkind and caused hurt to others.

Now, the social media networks give even more chances for wrong words that might wound or be misunderstood. Those word trails don’t disappear with the next breath either. They are almost impossible to erase as they lurk out there in the internet world. I want to remember to consider my words before I open my mouth to speak or before I hit send so that the trails I leave will be happy ones.

May our every footprint leave behind sparkles of kindness and happiness.

The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. ~Psalm 37:23 (New King James Version)

Comments 20

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  1. Thank you for your “Footprints” and the Chinese proverb. More than ever today, with or without social media, this is so important for and to all of us.

    I keep a little book by my computer to enter quotes, sayings, proverbs, etc. that appeal to me. Yes, I entered the Chinese proverb!

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      I’m always gathering quotes, but I need to be more organized with them, Loretta. I have many that I’ve used in the bulletins I do for church. I keep a list of the songs we sing each Sunday and the special quotes I include in the bulletin going back over 20 years. I also have some quotes here and there on this or that file here on my computer. I love a quote that makes you think or makes you smile.

  2. Amen! If only more people had the love of Christ, they may consider the impact of their words. May we strive to be ever conscious of our words; to uplift and encourage and to be wise when admonishing, speaking the truth in love.

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  3. An excellent devotional, Ann! So important to remember this, especially as we begin a new year.
    I also appreciate the comments made by your other readers and shared here.

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  4. Sometimes words spoken can cut through your mind and heart like a sword. I taught my children to speak wisely and kindly. And that it is best not to say anything at all, if you can’t do this.

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      I suppose that’s why they say the pen is mightier than the sword, Eileen. But now we have so many ways to get those words out there. It is definitely better to be wise and kind when we speak. You surely taught your children well.

  5. Like the old rule says, if you can’t say something good about someone, don’t say anything at all. It’s awfully hard to correct a wrong or hurtful word after you’ve spoke.

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      You are so right, Connie. We can apologize and say we didn’t mean whatever it was that someone has found hurtful, but those words linger in that person’s mind even if they accept our apologies. It is easier to forgive than to forget at times. Best, as you say, to not speak careless words.

  6. Luke 12:12 says …and the Holy Spirit will teach you what to say in that very hour. Then you may also consider what I call the Thumper philosophy, you remember from Bambi. Thumper’s mother says to him, “What did your father say?” Thumper replies, shyly, “If you can’t say nuthin’ good, don’t say nuthin’ at all.” I may not have the quotes exact, but you understand the concept. Good devotional. Much more than just our carbon footprints.

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      Thanks for chiming in with the Thumper quote, Suzie. That has me smiling. Plus, it’s a good practice to keep. What you don’t say or share on social media or send in an email or letter that wasn’t thought out properly is easier to deal with than you do send, say or do without thinking wisely about it.

  7. Very true! Thanks for the reminder.

    I heard this a long time ago….”Live your life in such a way that you wouldn’t be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip.”

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  8. So very true, Ann! Words can be hurtful and they can long remain. Not sure where the phrase “Words will never hurt me” originated but they certainly hadn’t felt the sting of words that never quite leave!

    I don’t want my word tracks to ever be the cause of someone’s pain!

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      I’m not sure where that saying of “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me” came from either, Connie. It’s a hard thing to make true but something we tell our kids to try to make them more resillient. Words do hurt, but we also have to learn to deal with those sorts of injuries because I daresay almost everyone will feel the sting of unkind words at some time or another.

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