Kay is our Program Coordinator and in a church as large as ours, that’s a whole lot of responsibility. The good news is that Kay is one of these hyper-organized list people that always have a handle on everything.
Yesterday, Kay had Shelley and Ronnie hang four giant white boards in the conference room. She explained they were for planning purposes.
Hanging those big white boards was quite a chore. As Shelley and Ronnie finished and stood back to admire their handiwork, I politely told them one of the boards needed to be moved over an eighth of an inch in order to be perfectly aligned.
Ronnie laughed but Shelley gave me one of those, “Go to (you know)” looks. Even though she’s a little woman, I was justifiably afraid.
Shelley’s very scary response reminded me that not everything that floats through my brain needs to come out my mouth. There are some things in life that are better left unsaid.
If we are followers of Jesus, then our speech is guided by love and compassion. There are times when we open our mouths and there are also times when we keep them shut.
When your spouse goes to all the trouble to make dinner, even if it is barely fit to eat, use words of gratitude and love. (Unless it is Shannon and she makes cauliflower crust pizza and doesn’t tell you why the pizza tastes weird, then the rules no longer apply.)
When your child draws a picture of your family and it’s so bad, you cannot even tell which one is the dog, let them know how much you will love and cherish that picture.
If you are Pastor Brian and your first child tells you that she wants you to take the second child back to the doctor and leave her there, bite your tongue and don’t offer to take them both back to the doctor.
Words matter. That’s why Solomon said, “Those who guard their mouths and their tongues guard themselves from trouble.” (Proverbs 21:23 CEB)
Prayer: Dear Gracious Heavenly God, guide my thoughts and speech. Give me the wisdom to know when to speak and when to remain silent. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Speaking of how we use our words, just know it is always the right thing to tell me every Sunday that my sermon was a masterpiece and it has given your life new direction and purpose.
I pray your day is filled with joy and laughter.
Tom Robbins
Daily Devotionals by Dr. Tom Robbins 