Modern technology continues to fascinate me! We can be watching TV and view something of interest or miss a key part of a statement, and suddenly technological amazements come to the rescue. Othel hits a button on the remote and the TV goes into reverse mode, giving us a second look or clarity in a questioned statement.

I have had no need for that reverse button on the TV this week. The attempted assassination of our former president has been played and replayed — each time showing the millimeter-close-call to death. 

When the initial shock of what we witnessed had diminished, I wanted to see and know more about the assassin. It wasn’t long until his picture appeared on TV. His youthful age was obvi-ous. I thought he would have passed for a student in high school. Then I wanted to know more about how someone this young could contrive and complete his intent to kill a presidential candidate.

Our super-sonic age of information soon showed more results. In high school he was a loner, usually sat by himself at lunch and didn’t dress like “the rest of us.” He had tried out for the high school rifle club only to be denied and made fun of by his peers. One student when asked about the gunman made reference to his being bullied. It seems no one really knew him as a friend, so no one had any real information about his background.

It was another stark reminder about the power of words. Had his home-life been an environ-ment of acceptance and open communication? Had there been words of affirmation and en-couragement or those “other kind” of words? Did those students doing the bullying have any idea of what they might be inciting in this youth’s future?

Due to the past weekend’s deadly event, the tone from the present political climate seems to suggest and encourage a lowering of the temperature in our rhetoric. We can accept the some-times vicious attacks and insults as part of today’s culture, but this past weekend’s startling event should open our eyes to the power as well as danger in words. 

Sometimes I listen to the incendiary words on TV and think the problem is too great and be-yond our reach to “start over.” Yet, families can become more intentional to teach their chil-dren and grandchildren to use kind words and treat others with kindness. The wisdom book of Proverbs speaks much of the power in words. Proverbs 12:18 is a most appropriate warning for our time: “The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings heal-ing.”

Healing words … Lord, open our ears to hear what we say and teach us to be wise in what we say.

Letters to Camille Anding may be sent to P.O. Box 551, Brookhaven, MS 39602.