WHO MIGHT BE LISTENING?

I was leading a Sunday children’s class when I complained that I was cold. As I wrapped my cardigan tightly around myself, one young girl observed aloud, “It’s because your clothes are cheap.” To emphasize her point, she then cupped her hands around her mouth and yelled, “Cheap!” The other leaders looked at me, wide-eyed, but I began to laugh! This six-year-old child had spoken the truth; my clothes are usually cheap. Suspecting she had heard these words elsewhere, I laughed to imagine the reaction of the originator if they were to learn how their words had been repeated.

~~~~~

Years ago, when I was a teenaged server at a Big Boy restaurant, a regular customer came in every day to sit at a large table and sip coffee for hours. This irritated me because I would lose that table for the morning, and so lose other groups of diners–and their tips. One day, after he had paid his bill, I complained to the other servers just how much he annoyed me. I then turned to find him still standing at the register, silently frowning. Caught and chagrined, I shrugged and said, “Well, you do.” (I still wince.)

~~~~~

I appreciate the art of words, the way they can be crafted into gifts of encouragement, wisdom, or beauty. Words can be used to share compassion, creativity, kindness, instruction, and affirmation. Talented writers use words to compose lyrics or poetry for soothing our spirits and inspiring our souls. Yet–too often–words are not beautiful or uplifting, but hurtful and even hateful. Perhaps through the ease of communicating from a distance (messaging, social media) and the poor example of prominent leaders, there has been an abundance of words that insult, criticize, ridicule, condemn.

These words can be spoken in a moment but are remembered for a lifetime.

A helpful guide that comes to my mind (not often enough) is to remember that my words can extend more than I intend, and to ask myself, “Who else could be listening? Who might read this text? Who is quietly observing me and the words I say?“

And when I consider how far my words could reach, I look to the heavens…

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
    be acceptable to you,
    O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
Psalm 19:14 (NRSVUE)

Photo by Karen
Bible verse found at https://www.biblegateway.com/