YOU Talk Too Much!!

Have you ever “let the cat out of the bag” or “put your foot in your mouth” or, quite frankly, just talked too much? I have. I’ve slipped up trying to put on a surprise party or in keeping some other kind of secret. I pray this often: “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!” Psalm 141:3

I’ll never forget what an avid conversationalist my husband was. He spoke with great fervor in giving his best motivational pitch to someone needing counsel or encouragement. And when he spoke, people listened because his words were filled with such great wisdom. In the latter part of his days on this earth, however, his words were few, but still when he spoke – it was always with words that mattered. For example, the day when our daughter, Staci, his nurse and I were in the room with him, and he said, “I love you so much my precious darling”. I said, “Who are you talking to, Staci or me?” He said, “Both of you”! His nurse said, “He’s still got it!” Nothing earth shaking or world changing, but being on purpose with what he said,.

Then there was the morning that I saw his eyes closed, then he'd open them, and have a big smile on his face. That morning, I thought it was time for a “heart-to-heart” talk – just to see what he might be thinking. I asked him, “Is God saying something to you?" No reply. Then I asked, “Do you want to quit all this, and just go see your mansion in heaven? I will be okay with whatever you want. Or if you want to keep fighting, and if God wants us to travel around the world giving witness to our faith and how God healed you, then I’m ready to fight on with you! So what’s God telling you, my Love?” He opened his eyes, without giving a second thought, and with his convincing authority said, “YOU TALK TOO MUCH!!”

I laughed at his remark then, and I smile today as I type this because it renews the importance of letting my two ears do more listening, while my one mouth does less speaking. Another important verse is Proverbs 21:23 “Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue, keeps himself out of trouble. I sure do want to stay out of trouble, and I sure do want my words to be few, and when I speak, I sure do want my words to count – words of encouragement, hope and joy! How about you?