Did You Really Mean to Say That?
January 28, 2011
Sometimes you hear people say some words that make you wonder if they really meant to say that. This week I had knee surgery which put me in the presence of numerous medical professionals who all carry some kind of “weapon” like needles and knives. And I heard words like this:
“Okay, just RELAX while I jab this 8 inch needle in you.” (Sure thing. . . I always relax best right before imagining a skewer impaling my arm.) Did you really mean to say, “RELAX”? Are you sure you didn’t mean to say, “Brace yourself” or “Look out!”?
Or “WOW! Your blood pressure is really high.”(Yeah, well if it weren’t, it is now.) Did you really mean to say “WOW!”? Are you sure you didn’t mean to say, “It’s normal at times like this for your blood pressure to be high.”?
Or “Oh, one more thing before you go into the operating room. If you have trouble breathing we will stick a tube down your throat. So you might have a sore throat afterwards.” (Okay, so which part should I worry about-the sore throat or the trouble breathing part?) Did you really mean for those to be your parting words as I was rolled into the operating room? Are you sure you didn’t mean to say, “You’re in good hands.”?
Or “Which knee are we operating on today?” (Gee, how comforting! You don’t know?) Did you really mean to say that right after the breathing tube words and right before you make an incision on my “right” knee? Are you sure you didn’t mean to say, “Right knee it is!”?
Sometimes Jesus said words that make me wonder if He really meant to say them. For instance in Matthew 5:11-12 Jesus said things like: “Rejoice when you are persecuted”, (okay, I find great joy in that!), or turn the other cheek (vv. 38-39); give to someone who wants to take from you (vv. 40-42); love your enemies, bless those who curse you, and do good to those who hate you (vv. 43-44). Did Jesus really mean to say those things? Was He sure He didn’t mean to say, “Hate your enemies, and don’t do good unto others who use you, or play the martyr when you’re persecuted? Well, He is Jesus, after all, and I know He meant to say exactly what He said. In the end, what seems like misspoken words, are really words that are spoken in our best interest. If I turn the other cheek, I avoid a disagreement with others; when I give to others, I receive a blessing; when I deny self, it is really when I live a full life. And in all these ways, I reflect my Heavenly Father!
On first blush, some of the words heard at the hospital didn’t make much sense. Sometimes either do Jesus’ words. But then I realize that His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8) but they are always the best ways! (SV)
Looking for more words? Why not read Matthew 5 in its entirety?