To speak, or not to speak, that is the question.

Day 58

Growing up, there’d be those times when my mother would ask me, “Did you leave your brain under the bed?” Because  it sure seemed like I had. At least then I would have had an excuse for the mindless things I did. (And still do. Sigh.)

For instance: talking. Too much. Without thinking. Lately it’s been occurring to me that I’m not as keen on this speech apparatus thing as I once was. After I’ve put my foot in my mouth (again), I can see that it’s way more trouble than it’s worth. The mouth, I mean. Not the foot. I still have a pretty good relationship with both my feet as I wrote about in the 29 March entry.

Yes, I know my aversion to the whole speech deal is a strange thing to hear from someone who intends to make a living helping people speak better, but seriously. James was not kidding when he said that “no one can tame the tongue” (James 3:8). It’s a scary thing.

The reason that I’m thinking these thoughts is that this morning Emily (Emily-my-friend as opposed to Emily-my-sister) and I read Proverbs 21 (i.e. the “Proverb of the Day”). Here’s verse 23:”He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles.” I really need the Lord’s wisdom to keep my mouth shut when I should.

And his courage to speak up when it’s hard.