Proverbs 18 is our Lenten Reading today. Read here.
Words, words, words. One of my favorite movies of all time is "On Golden Pond."
Henry Fonda plays the cantankerous dad, Norman, of his real life daughter, Jane Fonda, who is Chelsea in the movie. They don't get along very well but perhaps that's because they are so much alike: stubborn, wounded, opinionated, looking for the other to accept them as they are. At one point Norman, who is a man of few words gets tired of all the talking and says this quote, (that apparently I am the only one in the world who thinks is funny or poignant because I couldn't find it online ANYWHERE!) "I don't know why everybody has to talk about everything all the time."
Sometimes it just seems like there is too much talking going on. It seems like everyone has something to say, and most of it could be left unsaid. Words just spoken for the sake of speaking. I yearn for quiet. Do you? I yearn for simple company in the presence of another where words do not have to be spoken. Where translations don't have to be made, "What did you mean by that?" or "Why did you say that?" There are but a few people I know who don't say something unless it is worth being said. You can count on them to speak when they have something important to say, otherwise they just keep their mouths shut. I admire that quality so much!
"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."
Hmmm. We don't listen enough, do we?
"The words of a man's mouth are deep waters, the fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook." Our words can encourage rather than tear down.
"A fool's lips walk into a fight, and his mouth invites a beating." Our words can get us into serious trouble.
"A fool's mouth is his ruin, and his lips are a snare to his soul." Our words injure others and not easily forgotten.
"The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body." Gossip and malicious talk hurt deeply.
"If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame." Again with the inability to listen carefully and attentively. We jump too quick without thinking things through. Perhaps we need a "time-out."
"An intelligent heart acquires knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge." What better knowledge and wisdom is there than the fear of the Lord?
"The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him." Consider that one.
"Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits." Our words have such power, why not use them for good rather than evil?
Something to ponder for today. What do you think?
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