No.
A simple word,
Two letters.
A determiner.
An exclamation.
An adverb.
The absence of something.
We start by saying “no” to the things that we don’t want, even if we don’t know what we do want.
“No peas,please.”
“No nap!”
“No. I want MOM.”
Soon, our no’s become expressions of our values,
The things we like, or don’t.
We use no’s to maintain our environment.
We use no’s to exercise our dominion to choose.
“No, that is probably not good for me.”
“No, I would rather not stay up that late.”
“No, I prefer not to swear.”
We exercise our no’s for our entire life.
No’s keep us safe.
No’s uphold boundaries and ethics.
No’s can be good, useful, for the purpose of shalom.
“No, I will not speed.”
“No, I will not throw my trash on the ground.”
“No, I will not act violently against this person because of the color of their skin.”
Our no’s help us navigate the world.
They empower us.
Until someone else decides our no’s are not worth anything.
Until someone decides that our no’s do not matter
Until someone decides to ignore our no’s and carry on with their own agenda.
Until someone uses their power to say no to our no.
No’s can diminish, disempower, hurt, abuse, take advantage of.
“No, you cannot lead.”
“No, you are not welcome here.”
“No, your body is not worth my respect.”
Sometimes our no’s are silenced.
And our voices become silenced.
“No, we don’t believe that actually happened to you.”
“No, your opinion isn’t valuable here.”
“No, you don’t know what you are talking about.”
Until they are taken from us.
I don’t know about you,
But I am saying NO.
I am saying no to the forces of evil that
Subjugate,
Diminish,
Disempower,
Abuse,
Take advantage of,
Silence.
By the power of the Holy Spirit,
Who is an advocate for the oppressed,
A voice for the voiceless
A champion of the disenfranchised.
Our God does not delight in wickedness.
Evil may not dwell with God.
It is with all of the authority on heaven and earth
That God declares, “No.”
No. That is not how you were meant to experience life
No. You deserve better. You deserve more.
No. You are made in the image of God.
No. Your body is a holy, dwelling place of God.
You are a holy, dwelling place for God.
No.
A simple word,
Two letters.
A determiner.
An exclamation.
An adverb.
The absence of something.
A word to reclaim.

LOVE LOVE LOVE! All of it, every word . . . so much of my life is in your words right down to:
RECLAIM.
My heart is roaring with the power of your words, Not a viscious roar by any means. A strong, determined, daughter-of-the-King roar.
Thanks so much for putting your heart on the paper,
J.
Haley…I’m saying “yesss” to all the “no’s” that you so eloquently wrote about…love, love, love the language of that “not so simple” 2 letter word💛
Re: No
Love it! Truer words were never spoken! It brings to mind the 2edged sword in The Word. Thank you and may God continue to bless you, as you bless us with your words.
Hebrews 4:12 King James Version (KJV)
12 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any 2 edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.