Brave New Verbs

It's a sign of the times...

"She's got a great chance to podium on this run" said the Olympics commentator.

SAY WHAT? Since when is "to podium" a verb???

It's an epidemic. I hear it in my kids' use of words all the time. In my growing-up years, it was strictly verboten to use words in any manner except for which Webster's Third International Dictionary defined them! The ultimate punishment from my dad for the mis-use of words was to be sent to the dictionary to "look it up". And of course, in correct prose, we would be wrong.

I remember an argument one evening over whether or not "a mini" was a noun. "Absolutely not!" was dad's thundering response. "It's a PREFIX!"

Some of the best (and worst) discussions at the dinner table were over spelling, pronunciation, grammar and syntax. As you might have guessed, this meant that we ate dinner around a table, without the TV or radio on in the background. If our biggest disagreements were over parts of speech, I'd have to admit we got along pretty well as a family!

Like it or not, words change meaning or lose punch in day-to-day use. What was bling, hip, cool or rad is replaced by words like phat, tight, peeps or a'ight. And once adults learn what they mean, they go out of use right away! (Maybe this blog will help?)

Dad's probably having a great chuckle over this. Truth be told, I am too.

But, being that is is Valentine's Day, it's time to re-visit another Brave New Verb.

Love.

Dare we live in a way that shows LOVE? Not mushy gushy sentiments on cards (though hey, I love the gifts of words from the heart of hearts of those I love.) It's not sex and unrequited love (sorry to all you wanna-be Desperate Housewives out there!) It's God's Love. Real Love. Love that goes beyond the expected, that lavishes down on us day after day, unearned and undeserved. Love that isn't contingent on whether we get an "A" in the school of life... It just IS.

We know that we have come to know Him if we obey His commands. The man who says, "I know Him," but does not do what He commands is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But if anyone obeys His word, God's love is truly made complete in him. This is how we know we are in Him: Whoever claims to live in Him must walk as Jesus did. [I John 2:3-6]

May my "love life" live up to His life!

From our home to yours...
Deb