There is a children’s song I have always loved. It is a great reminder to think before we do or say something. It goes something like this:
“Oh, Be careful little eyes what you see, Oh, be careful little eyes what you see. For the Father Up Above is looking down in love, so be careful little eyes what you see.”
The lines repeat replacing eyes for hands, ears, feet, etc. The line that really sticks with me is “mouth.”
“Oh, be careful little mouth what you say, for the Father up above is looking down in love, so be careful little mouth what you say.”
This is a big deal for me. I enjoy visiting and talking about lots of topics, especially the things I am learning and discovering. Sometimes in my passion, I get a little carried away.
Recently, I realized that not only is the Father up above listening and watching me, but so are my children and others.
The other day a young child told one of my daughters that she is fat and unhealthy. The child then said, “my dad said so.” Oh no, do my children say things like this thinking I would actually say such a thing. The dad of this child had no idea what the child told my daughter, and my daughter (who is not fat and unhealthy) didn’t think anything of this comment. But if the dad or mom of this child had heard what was said, they would have been very embarrassed and apologetic. I have no doubt in my mind that these parents did not say such things, but the whole experience gave me pause.
Often I love to discuss diets, health plans, personal convictions, and such with other adults. Jeremy, my husband, and I are often discussing these things too. Could one of our children over hear something we say and come to conclusions about others that are unkind, untrue, or just nonsense, based on what they over hear me saying?
When Rachel was little she had no filter. So, we would go to a relatives or friends house, and she would say things like, “Grandma, you stink, you shouldn’t smoke.” It would always be so embarrassing.
Smoking is stinky, and most smokers know that. But it wasn’t kind or necessary for Rachel to tell her grandma that she stinks. Just because I believe something is true doesn’t mean it is true. Just because something is true doesn’t mean I need to be unkind.
Gossip is talking about things/situations that are not necessary to be discussed.
Even if something is true, I need to be very careful what I say. My children, my friends, my family, strangers, and, most of all, my Father up above are watching. I want my words to be seasoned with salt. Encouraging, and kind. IF I am passionate about a diet, health idea, Biblical concept, teaching method, etc. I can share my passion without judging others. I can share my personal experience without being condescending of others.
May the Words of my Mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O Yehovah!
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