Words that aren't said...

While the source is dubious (a semi-trashy romance author), one of my favorite quotes is:

Words are important... to everyone. When they aren't said, they leave holes.
~Nora Roberts

I recently wrote an e-mail to a friend with a similar subject line, because I had some things I couldn't leave unsaid. Her friendship is too important to leave holes.

Most of us, unfortunately, have holes left in our lives from words that weren't said:

• "I love you."


• "I'm sorry I hurt you."


• "I need you."


• "I'm proud of you."


• "I believe in you."


• "I forgive you."


• "Thank you."


• "God loves you."

And most of us, unfortunately, have left holes in the lives of others. Even though we know how empty and aching those holes are, most of us have left a trail of them behind us.

I have people I need to apologize to and people I need to forgive. I haven't done enough to let my children know I am proud of them and I don't always tell my friends how grateful I am that they're in my life. Worst of all, I've failed to share the Good News with people in my life who need to hear it.

Have you felt the pain of unsaid words? Have you left any unsaid? Whose holes most need filling and what can you do to fill them?
And while you chew on that for a while, here are the lyrics to a song by Steven Curtis Chapman:

Still Called Today
There a hole the size of a cruel word
In a wounded heart somewhere that's learning to hide the pain
There's a thorn stuck in the conscience of
Someone who spoke a word in anger
And they can't wash away the stain,
sorry's such a hard word to say

CHORUS
But while it's still called today, won't somebody make it right
Before the day slips into night and the moments waste away
While it is still called today, we've got to say the words
That are longing to be heard 'cause tomorrow may be too late
Go on and say what you need to say while it is still called today

There's a girl who's waiting day after day
To hear her daddy say "I love you," now the days have turned to years
There's a wall that silence has turned to stone
Between a man and woman, she's holding back the tears
And he's holding on to his fears

BRIDGE
Cause there's a time when the sun goes down
And the flowers are laid on the grave
Will the tears that fall to the ground
Be the tears of regret for the words someone didn't say