www.laurareimer.net
|

Word nerd alert <3

www.laurareimer.net

Words grab my attention particularly when they are used in an unusual way of communication.

Take the word “confirmation.”

I have two reactions to it. 

When I see or hear that word I immediately transport back to Junior High and I’m sitting in around a table in our cavernous old Methodist church in the town my family finally settled in after my dad retired from the Air Force. 

Completely distracted by whatever squirrely trail my thirteen year old brain was traveling, I joined several other similarly wired age mates as we were led through the steps we needed to take to become confirmed members of the church. 

Confirmation meant enduring several weeks of classes and then standing in front of the church and being officially made members. 

It was an important part of my faith walk story and I count it as one of the many steps I have taken that lead me ever closer to Christ by living in community through belonging to the Body.

www.laurareimer.net

When I use the word confirmation, it is usually in the context of a phone conversation with a customer service representative after an arduous exchange where I either made a reservation, canceled a reservation or cleared up some kind of mistake in the services we are receiving…ie. the internet company, the cable company, the charge card. 

A confirmation number means I have some way of connecting what was promised with any further need to contact yet another representative about the same issue. 

Not that this ever happens…ha…

www.laurareimer.net

So imagine my confusion lately when the subject matter of a couple of emails every day contain the word “Confirmation of subscription” or “Confirmation of offer.”

I look at the sender and ask myself what we would have ordered or agreed to.

As it turns out, we have done nothing.

This is some kind of new advertising gimmick I guess.

As if when I see that the offer they have made me has been confirmed, I will hit accept and there we go…I have gained the ability to access satellite radio from my phone. 

No thank you.

I already spend way too much time on my phone as it is, I don’t need to be adding entertainment to it. 

Or when I notice that my offer has been confirmed, I will download some coupon and follow through with placing an order for clothing that I don’t want, need or even like. 

www.laurareimer.net

It occurs to me that I am offered a lot of other unnecessary offers that come in the guise of sincere “confirmations” throughout each and every day. 

Catchy phrases that sound like they are based on truths I hold to…pep talks that seem encouraging and uplifting but do not feed the empty places in my soul that long for relationship with something greater than myself. 

There are ample offers being made daily by well-meaning and by not-so-well-meaning people and companies and organizations. 

So let me remind you. 

The only one who can actually confirm anything that lasts in us is God. 

One God…three in One….Father, Son and Holy Spirit. 

The synonym for “confirmation” is the word “corroborate”…(doesn’t that smack of a negative term??? It isn’t)

Corroborate – to support with evidence or authority: make more certain

Are you getting tossed around by all the loud noises of 2019? 

Here is one of many confirmations you can jot down and refer back to repeatedly throughout the day…

He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may KNOW that you have eternal life, and that you may CONTINUE TO BELIEVE in the name of the Son of God.     1 John 5:11-13

Share and Save: