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Welcoming Words Newsletter           October 2024

By Debbie Sorensen

Today’s Focus:  A closed mouth gathers no foot.

I must have heard this quote somewhere because I have it written down on one of the slips piled on my desk. There is no source noted, which places it in that dang “anonymous” category. When it caught my attention, I thought hard about the words I use. How many quips have we heard about “opening our mouths and inserting foot”? Or wishing we could take back a statement we had blurted out before we thought it through?

I  can’t speak for anyone else, but I recognize many times, I’ve been sorry for what I’ve said. What’s to be done once the words are out? If our consciousness is pricked, we need to pay attention. The best thing to do would be to humble ourselves, apologize, and decide to engage our minds before we start talking out of turn. Eating crow isn’t pleasant, but it can have positive results. Next time, inflammatory words are thrown about, I want to remind myself to put the fire out. Not, throw gasoline on the situation.

Application:

The book of Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament in verse 3:3 reminds us there is a time to speak and a time to be silent. My dad used to say, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all. In today’s world, that may seem out of step. With so much craziness around us, it’s time we start to exhibit new behaviors and establish better examples for the world around us. We can choose to make a difference one true, positive, and encouraging word at a time. Let’s start today by using words that are easy to understand and do the next right thing.

Why it matters:  

Placing a guard over our mouth has a lot to do with character, control, and restraint. When the time comes to speak, take a breath, ask for wisdom from God, be a person of integrity, and be the one to set a new standard and chart a new course. Do not be deceived. One person can make a difference. Now is the time to step forward and be the person who starts a ripple effect to bring change to our community, our country, and our world. 

Contact:  Debbie Sorensen at [email protected]