Don’t speak unless you can improve on the silence. ~ Spanish proverb
“When’s the baby due?” the doctor asked the reporter, making small talk before his interview. He had no idea that no matter the season, this particular reporter wore layered, all-black clothes in an attempt to hide her weight. Needless to say the reporter wasn’t pleased with the question, but within seconds my co-worker had stepped in to smooth things over.
Don’t you hate awkward moments? Whether you gave the comment, was a spectator, or the recipient of the remark, it doesn’t make the situation any easier or any less embarrassing.
I remember making my own uncomfortable remark. I was standing on the stairs inside of a church along with a group of book club members and fellow authors. We’d posed for so many pictures that our smiles were starting to look as fake as pleather. I’d jokingly said, “Keep smiling. Show all thirty-twos or however many you have left.”
Little did I know the woman standing behind me had just gotten a number of teeth extracted from one side of her mouth. She’d laughed and said, “Are you talking about me? I was trying to show my good side.” She turned towards me to reveal her missing pearly whites. Thankfully, she thought it was all in good fun, and because she was extremely confident, she wasn’t the least bit offended. I was just relieved that I was visiting from another state almost 800 miles from home so I’d probably never have to see her again. Me and my big mouth!
I’m sure I’m not the only one who has wished their mouth had a rewind and erase button. So often we throw out words before thinking of the damage they might do. Words spat in jest, frustration, impatience, or anger take root and the effects will spring up as tangled weeds that try to choke out our lives. However, the seeds of life-giving words can also take root to sprout blessings, favor, righteousness, and an abundant life. I prefer the latter garden.
I don’t believe talk is cheap. In fact, it’ll cost you everything. God’s view of and use of His words are so important, that whatever He says happens. Look above. Unless the atmosphere is curtained by white clouds, the skies are blue. But if God were to decide it should be purple, all He’d have to do is speak a word. God’s words are a call to action.
In Isaiah 55:11 He says, “So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; it shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please, and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”
How differently would your speech be if you could see the immediate consequences of your words? Would your conversations change? Would you participate in workplace gossip? Speak more highly of yourselves and others? Would you pray that God would help bridle your tongue?
That’s why I’ve decided to use my B.I.G. (Believing In God) mouth for words worth listening to. God’s promises for us are always worth confessing:
I’m the head and not the tail. My children will rise up and call me blessed. They shall be taught of the Lord and have great peace. The heart of my husband safely trusts in me. We are blessed in our going in and our coming out. I’m like a tree planted by the rivers of water. The Lord will satisfy me with long life.
God’s confessions are good for the soul. With His words on your lips, the next time someone says you have a B.I.G. mouth, you’ll consider it a compliment!
** Originally taken from If These Shoes Could Talk (2012) by Tia McCollors
I so enjoyed If These 👠 Could Talk, and the lessons learned from that title. I am constantly wishing for that erase button. But in conversation people aren’t interested in offering you the grace of time to gather your 💭 and make sure your words are accurate just through up everywhere and deal with the consequences. No I don’t want to do that, help me Lord.