Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:4
I have addressed this subject many times with you in the past, but since I just had something happen recently with my words, I thought I would share my heart yet again.
We live in a world where EVERYONE wants to be able to share freely their opinions and feelings even if it hasn’t been solicited.
I’ve heard people in our senior community say to me, “At this age of my life, I have lived long enough that I can say what I want, whenever I want, to whomever I want, and how I want. Deal with it.”
Social media has given us the opportunity to express our opinions solicited or unsolicited. I am convinced that 80% of the things people write on social media would never be said if that individual had to say it face-to-face. Maybe that is why someone once said, “the pen is mightier than the sword.”
I normally just post Scripture. Occasionally someone will tell me I have quoted a verse out of context. I can deal with that. I get that and am fine with that.
But I lowered myself and shouldn’t have – to rant. My rant came out of frustration with people’s comments about my schedule and time off. Recently Jan and I hosted an 8-day trip for America’s Keswick. It is part of my job to do things like this. If you’ve never hosted a trip, you probably don’t have a clue what is involved with serving 50 people for 8 days. You are literally on call for 24 hours.
It was an unusual situation as we came home for two days and then went on our vacation. Some of the saints expressed to me how nice it would be to be on “vacation” for eight days and then take my vacation. Several posted comments on Facebook when we posted pictures of our being with our kids in Florida.
I admit it. I got in the flesh and ranted. I shared what was going on in my heart. I made an attempt to defend myself anticipating that others would join in as they have done in the past. At Christmas time was taken to task big time for putting my Christmas lights up too soon!!!
But what I did was really was to do the very thing that I have expressed frustration over in the past. I joined the crowd and shot off my mouth when I should have just let it go.
It was a good reminder to me that my words really do matter. Once they are out of your mouth, no matter how hard you try, you can’t get them back in. The damage is already done.
At 62 you think I would have learned this lesson. But like you, I am still in process. Lord, please set a guard over my lips. Help me today to use my words to speak life not poison and death. Thanks for listening to my rant.
Written by Dr. Bill Welte is President/CEO of America’s Keswick: He has been married to his child sweetheart for 40+ years, and has three married kids, one that is engaged, and 10 amazing grand kids. He loves music and is an avid reader.
The Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 35; Proverbs 5
Daily Quote:”We cannot be too careful about the words we use; we start out using them and they end up using us.” ~Eugene Peterson
This Week’s Verse to Memorize:
For the mountains shall depart
And the hills be removed,
But My kindness shall not depart from you,
Nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,”
Says the Lord, who has mercy on you. ~Isaiah 54:10
Freedom Fighters 
Love your open and sensitive spirit, Bill. Some of us will fight the need for self-justification until we die. I speak from painful experience. My husband was my greatest example on submitting one’s cause ONLY to God, who sees and knows and yes, judges all. He’s the only one we have to “worry about.” But it’s a battle!
Sorry if I must disagree.Sometimes enough is enough. You get pounded on a pretty steady basis and people mistake kindness as a weakness. Jesus was clear with the Pharisees on several occasions. No one likes to be hurtful or bossy with words but sometimes you have to communicate in a tough love fashion. Why do so many people think they have a right to tee off on you, Jan and your family. Some consistently violate clear and personal boundaries.
Sorry that you are even in this position. You need a vacation after those bus trips. Long and grueling with a ton of responsibility. Hope you enjoyed Florida. Love you Bill!
Bill I was about to tell you two occasions while I was in The Colony that my words were misunderstood. Even a supervisor told me ‘ why don’t you leave now.’ At that very moment I lost a friend , a mentor , a hope. Most people only use others as an outlet for some hurt. You just pray for them. let GOD deal with them. Hang in there big guy.
Rich