I have an opinion...on almost everything...I do. I'm a strong willed, very opinionated gal...and that is something that I often have to fight. It's such a balance for me...for years I never spoke up, and as I've aged I tend to speak up more often...I guess you could say I'm "fiery" when it comes to certain topics. However, in my quest to find a balance I've learned that the Bible very clearly tells us that we are often more wise when we shut our mouths!
I often lean on Rob to tell me when to speak and when to just shut-up. It can be heard in our house on an almost daily basis..."should I speak or hush?" I guess it's a blessing...because where Rob is reserved I am not...we balance out one another...
I must tell you about a recent experience in keeping my mouth shut...and God made it so easy for me. I have this deeply instilled desire to be Christ-like...I do...I really really do...and in all of my desire to be Christ-like....I fail...oh, so often I fall flat on my face...and I find myself asking forgiveness from our most grace-filled God so often. I'm humiliated at the amount of forgiveness I've had to ask...but, God gives it to me time and time again...He doesn't give it a second thought....He covers me with His grace.
There has been someone in my life for many years...and for many years this person would treat me terribly...words that hurt were spoken...actions just ripped my heart apart...and there wasn't a thing in the world I could do about it but pray. I would often daydream of the day this person MIGHT find God...MIGHT even ask me for forgiveness. But, about a year ago I gave up on the asking forgiveness part and just accepted that...this, right here...this is as good as it gets. Last week...out of no where...this person hugged me, and with tear filled eyes asked my forgiveness....I prayed for this day....diligently I prayed...and even when I had given up and accepted things as they were...God happened! In all of my daydreaming over this day I would play out all of the reasons why I SHOULDN'T forgive this person. In my mind I would list the millions of reasons I was hurt, upset,, disappointed, let down, and I would tell this person every reason why I wouldn't forgive them...that's how it all played out in my mind....but, God wasn't done with this...
After this person uttered those words all I said...as quickly as they were done speaking..."I forgive you."
And I do not regret it...because you know that quest to be more and more Christ-like? THIS was part of it...giving forgiveness as Christ does for me...OVER AND OVER.
"A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back" Proverbs 29:11
I'm a talker...I'm a blogger...I'm full of opinions...but, in this season of life I'm turning to God to help guide me on when to speak...and when to just hold it back. I so desire to be a wise woman...a godly woman...but, I cannot do that without following what has been given to me to follow. There is wisdom in the Word...so much wisdom. As bloggers we sometimes feel we have the right to speak on anything...and we do have that "right" but...IS IT RIGHT?
So, right now...I pray for wisdom in my words...and silence when it's the best.
I often lean on Rob to tell me when to speak and when to just shut-up. It can be heard in our house on an almost daily basis..."should I speak or hush?" I guess it's a blessing...because where Rob is reserved I am not...we balance out one another...
I must tell you about a recent experience in keeping my mouth shut...and God made it so easy for me. I have this deeply instilled desire to be Christ-like...I do...I really really do...and in all of my desire to be Christ-like....I fail...oh, so often I fall flat on my face...and I find myself asking forgiveness from our most grace-filled God so often. I'm humiliated at the amount of forgiveness I've had to ask...but, God gives it to me time and time again...He doesn't give it a second thought....He covers me with His grace.
There has been someone in my life for many years...and for many years this person would treat me terribly...words that hurt were spoken...actions just ripped my heart apart...and there wasn't a thing in the world I could do about it but pray. I would often daydream of the day this person MIGHT find God...MIGHT even ask me for forgiveness. But, about a year ago I gave up on the asking forgiveness part and just accepted that...this, right here...this is as good as it gets. Last week...out of no where...this person hugged me, and with tear filled eyes asked my forgiveness....I prayed for this day....diligently I prayed...and even when I had given up and accepted things as they were...God happened! In all of my daydreaming over this day I would play out all of the reasons why I SHOULDN'T forgive this person. In my mind I would list the millions of reasons I was hurt, upset,, disappointed, let down, and I would tell this person every reason why I wouldn't forgive them...that's how it all played out in my mind....but, God wasn't done with this...
After this person uttered those words all I said...as quickly as they were done speaking..."I forgive you."
And I do not regret it...because you know that quest to be more and more Christ-like? THIS was part of it...giving forgiveness as Christ does for me...OVER AND OVER.
"A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back" Proverbs 29:11
I'm a talker...I'm a blogger...I'm full of opinions...but, in this season of life I'm turning to God to help guide me on when to speak...and when to just hold it back. I so desire to be a wise woman...a godly woman...but, I cannot do that without following what has been given to me to follow. There is wisdom in the Word...so much wisdom. As bloggers we sometimes feel we have the right to speak on anything...and we do have that "right" but...IS IT RIGHT?
So, right now...I pray for wisdom in my words...and silence when it's the best.