The Episcopal Counseling Center

Share Healing Words –

Dale D. Eshleman

After I read Sharon Jones’ article, “Use Your Best Manners,” elsewhere in this special edition of the CFE, I got to thinking about the small ways that her words could be spread to others.  As I was getting ready to attend the Diocesan Convention, I decided to share words of healing with the clergy and lay people I’d meet there.  I thought of the little word stones I’d seen at the Canterbury Book Shoppe – and remembered how good it felt to be the recipient of such words of encouragement as, “I believe in you.”  As it happens, the manufacturer of those little word stones did not have a supply that could be sent to us in time for Convention, so I devised a business card template to share these little words of healing.  I’d like to offer the template to you – for you to share words of healing and encouragement to those around you – a co-worker, a family member, your priest…

I also invite you to communicate with us at ECC of the powerful words of healing that have been spoken into your life and how that has impacted you!  For example – last month, I was particularly blue when someone offered me the gift of healing words:  “It’s really hard right now,” was all he said.  I laughed in reply – thinking ‘well, duh, of course it is’ – but realized quickly, that WAS what I needed to hear!  I needed for another person to acknowledge how lousy I was feeling, even though, nothing could be done at that moment to make the situation any better.  Those were very comforting and healing words!