Thursday, January 7, 2010

Something New

Having chosen "new" as my word for this year, my fertile imagination cast around for the amazing new things the Lord might possibly want to do in my life. I won't embarrass myself by going into detail; suffice it to say I always dream on a grand scale.

The Lord's dreams are invariably quite different from my own. I know His are better, and they usually involve a little serving of humble pie.

He began a little stirring in my heart concerning a new way of speaking. I sort of knew this was coming. For some reason taming my tongue has always been a bit of a challenge for me.

It is especially true in the midst of those "difficult" conversations (sometimes known as disagreements). So often I hear a gentle whisper, "Don't say what you're thinking right now. It is neither glorifying or edifying."

My usual response is to acknowledge the wisdom of this advice and then to stand back in absolute amazement as those very words come tripping lightly off my tongue. They have the predictable result, and I end up fervently wishing I had listened.

"Let's do it differently from now on," I hear Him say. "Let's break the old pattern and do it My way." Yes, it is time to do something new. The old way simply doesn't work. It ends in misunderstanding and hurt feelings, in time wasted in deafening silence.

I had a Pastor once who advised, "If it is not glorifying or edifying, don't say it." If I can simply take a moment to consider my words, I will either speak more wisely or simply say nothing at all.

I smiled sheepishly when I first read this verse:

"Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent."
Proverbs 17:28 (NLT)

And then there's:

" Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble."
Proverbs 21:23 (NLT)

I long to be a woman whose words are "... like honey, sweet to the soul and healthy for the body."
Proverbs 16:24(NLT)

I think that is a "new" thing to be excited about.

Blessings,
Linda