| Sunny Side Up, July 27, 2005 �2005, Kathleen Gibson Words, words, words Every creature under the sun can be tamed, the Bible says. All but the tongue. It's God's most difficult project, that little piece of flesh. I'm a good example of that. Ever since I could talk, I've had an opinion about almost everything. I guess that makes me an opinionated woman. To confirm this, ask my family. Ask anyone who knows me well. Sometimes I'm right. Often I'm dead wrong. I've also been right but unloving, and sometimes the reverse. In my early teens an older sibling declared independence and flouted family rules. I recall telling my parents what they should do. A good talking to, and grounding for a year. After so many years of experience, didn't they know that? In my early twenties, when a good friend made a lifestyle choice I didn't think wise, I told her plainly. I was right about the lifestyle - but I didn't speak with love. As a young wife, when friends' toddlers repeatedly acted out, I knew precisely what they should do - and stated it with Dr. Phil-like confidence. (Then I had my own children. Somewhere between diapers and puberty I misplaced all my best opinions on childrearing. No matter - plenty of opinions on other things filled the gap.) When a friend needed a friend, just someone just to listen, I dived in with words�good ones, all of them, but what she needed were my ears, not my tongue. My biggest regrets in life all have to do with the things I said and shouldn't have, the things I shouldn't have said, but did, and how I said even those things that needed saying! Over the years, God has tempered my tongue considerably - he started, of course, in my heart. So while it doesn't happen as often these days, occasionally my tongue still runs on ahead of him. Trouble always lurks there. Earlier this month, someone reacted vehemently to an article I'd written. Instead of trying to see things from his eyes, I instantly defended the words God had inspired, placing our relationship in jeopardy. I despair of myself sometimes, honestly. Thankfully, God has placed in my life people who know me well enough to remind me that behind my tendency to spout words is a passion to declare truth. That what seems to some like merely 'preaching' is a deep calling and desire to bring the light of God's words into lives and homes. And that while struggling to express fewer of my own opinions, I'm also working very hard to express more of His. So today, I'm thankful for other's tongues - for friends who pray, and remind me, when Satan shadows my days with accusing whispers, that though imperfect, I'm a woman of increasing faith and grace. A growing being, seeking to model the character of my friend, Jesus, who knows well my struggles and forgives all my failings. Who loves and is very patient with all his developing children - including you. Respond Home |
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