I Talk Too Much

There are days when I feel like I gave my mouth an enema. I know, crass, but appropriate in this case. It’s the only word that accurately describes what happens when I start running my mouth. My mother wrote a letter to me in 1987 long before she was laid to rest in 1996. It was full of a mother’s love and wisdom. Among many things, she wrote ‘once you say something, you can’t take it back.’ So true momma, so true.

Words can build up and tear down. Proverbs 18:21 (NIV) The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.

I heard someone say, God gave you two ears and one mouth so that you can listen twice as much as talk. Perhaps if I listen like I talk, the scores on my Fruit of the Spirit scorecard I mentioned in my last post, would be higher. Hmm…

Among many things, I ask God to help me keep my words few. What I am learning is the more I talk, the more I run the risk of unintentionally offending.

I have a R-n-R issue. Rambling and Repeating. I’m such a fan of a person who can keep their words few, relevant and impactful.  Whether it be for correction or celebration, this person has a way of getting their point across without belaboring the issue. In my humble opinion, that’s a gift.

I love this thought : Say what you mean, mean what you say, just don’t say it mean.

I have to admit there is something addictive about positive feedback when I stumble upon making a good point. Instead of just stating the point and moving on, I just keep going and going and going and going and going… Lord help me! It’s funny because I can tell when I lose someone during an R-N-R episode. Their eyes glaze over and they politely nod their heads hoping that I would shut up.  If I’m talking on the phone, the person on the other end gets quiet. Not because they are listening intently, it’s because they’re saying to themselves – here she goes again.

Remember when the enemy tried to tempt Jesus after his 40 day fast (Matthew 4:1-11)? Jesus simply said ‘It is written….’ stated HIS point and moved on. Gotta love Jesus!

Final Word of Encouragement – Ecclesiastes 10:12 Words from the mouth of the wise are gracious, but fools are consumed by their own lips.

Use your words sparingly, others will appreciate it. And, it will keep you out of trouble.

Be Encouraged! Be Blessed!
This Pastor’s Wife