I Heard It From…

Have you ever started a conversation with, “I heard it from…” Unfortunately, I have one too many times. I grew up in one church my whole life. One Sunday, there was a woman who fell to the floor in the middle of the service. The paramedics were called, and our church shifted to praying for our church members. I remember she was old, or so I thought when I was a teenager (she was, in fact, not old).

Turns out, she had a brain tumor and underwent surgery, and the removal was successful. She had very few side effects from the tumor and went on to live many many more years. Her name was Helen, and I went on to work at the church and was able to serve alongside her for decades. She was funny and quirky and a joy to be around, and she had an opinion on everything.

Have you ever remembered what someone said to you a long time ago, and it echoes in your mind the rest of your life?

Helen’s wise words have followed me my whole life.

While having a conversation with Helen, she shared with me a secret to being a good friend. She said she never wanted anyone to be able to say, “Well, I heard this from Helen…”.  So, she kept her mouth shut. She said, “Let them hear things from other people, but not from you.”

I’ve been guilty of saying things I shouldn’t have and sharing things with people that were not mine to share – so her words cut me to the core. These wise words convicted me and gave me pause. I’ve asked forgiveness and had to make some changes in me so that I shut my mouth more often.

I don’t want someone to say, “I heard this from Cheryl…”

This echoes in my mind whenever a situation arises where there is an opportunity to share something I know but is not mine to say. I am so thankful for the echo and the reminder to do better and be better.

Thank you for your legacy, Helen.