by Vanessa Smith
This past Saturday I shared with our Ambassadors the YouTube clip of humour provided by stand-up comedian Michael McIntyre in his thoughts on Silent Letter Day. Have I watched it on multiple occasions and do I still laugh? Yes! On this occasion it not only appealed to my somewhat wacky sense of humour, but also to the message that resonates with me.
Silent letters are defined simply as “a letter in a word written but not pronounced” …how many of us don’t at one time or another feel somewhat like a silent letter? How often do I hear people say that they don’t feel as if they have made any great difference in the world? How often have I wondered whether anything I have ever done has made any difference to anyone?
The thing about silent letters is that they ACTUALLY play a crucial role in English grammar. These letters differentiate between words that sound similar but have different meanings. Think of the words “know” and “now” – even though the K is not pronounced as K – but is silent – it is this single silent letter that allows us to know now that now is not know. 😊
Not only do silent letters play a critical role in differentiation of meaning, they also provide insight into the historical roots of the English language – which in turn assists us in understanding spelling and pronunciation for learners. The history of word origin (etymology) studies connections to its origin and meaning – similar to how we may make reference to the original text of the Bible in seeking the true meaning of the interpretation. Silent letters carry a wealth of history, and in turn a wealth of insight into the original or true meaning of English words.
During this season of Lent, we have been directed to study the Lectio365 series on Desert Fathers and Mothers. We remind ourselves that Lent is a time of spiritual reflection. A personal AHA moment was that it is more than silent moments and opportunity for spiritual growth – it is a time to appreciate the precious silent letter folk in our world. These are the men and women whose small, almost silent, acts could go almost unnoticed – yet these are the same acts that have the power to change lives by the weight of insight and thought that lies behind them.
In my life I have only to think of the words of a dear friend, spoken in a moment after having being told that I would probably not live to see the morning. “May I put you on our prayer chain?” – a simple sentence, a simple action that carried me through the night. Another friend, prompting me to see another bad situation differently. A post-it note left on my desk by my daughters, kept for years. A wooden prayer cross placed in my hand at church …I think we all know who that was. 😊
It is stated in our Lent series that the way of our world today is to admire those with great self-confidence and self-assurance; those who live very public and grand lives focused on outward appearances and signs of wealth. Lost to our admiration are those who demonstrate humility, quiet acts of faith and who live a simple life. Perhaps Lent is a time to re-assess and take time to value the simple acts of kindness, faith and humility that we have experienced. These acts could be ones carried out daily, that perhaps go unnoticed or a single word or act that had an impact on us.
The Bible is filled with references to what we should value.
Phillippians 2 v3-4: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interest of others”.
Zechariah 4 v 10: “Do not despise these small beginnings for the Lord rejoices to see his work begin” or the verse known, but perhaps not fully understood by us all in Matthew 5 v5: “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.”
Silent letters are not unseen, neither are they without meaning. Just so are those who act with humility and who carry out many seemingly small tasks in our society. Humility, quietness and small acts or words of faith, encouragement or kindness are NOT unseen. Humility is not a weakness. Small ideas are often the spark to a big idea.
During this season of reflection – I urge you to let at least one person know that they ARE seen – they are NOT a silent letter that carries no value. We may feel unseen but are always seen by God.
Blessings and love in Christ
Vanessa