WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE WORD?

When Goldie Hawn, she's the mother of Kate Hudson for younger readers, used to dance on Laugh-In in the late 60's, early 70's. She wore a bikini and body paint with words or expressions on her arms, and legs, and stomach. Most were like "sock it to me," or the peace sign.

In the recent movie "Stranger than Fiction," main character Will Ferell is asked what his favorite word is. As an IRS agent assigned to find fradulent tax returns, he plays his role perfectly and responds,"Integer."

Former MTV pastor Mike Steed had Glory for his license plate. He used Glory often in his speech and sermons, so I'm certain that was his favorite word.

Maybe our favorite word is one we use the most. Maybe it reflects where our focus is. Jesus would be a great favorite word, even though it is used disparagingly by some. I had a student who would respond verbally at times, silently other times to complete the sentence when people misused His name. She'd simply say "is my savior." I've tried it, too. It helps. Friend Deb Karch responded differently when she heard His name used disrespectfully: "Don't blame Him."

There was an onamastic study I read about years ago that listed the top twenty words in English that simply sounded the best. Many, in fact most, were good things. Harmony, heaven, peace, serenity were on the list, but those are the only ones I recall.

So if you're giving any thought to what your favorite word is, you might want to include something spiritual. Even if you don't, at least come up with something better than Will did.