By Holly Culhane
In the words of a poet…
Suppose
If all that we say in a single day,
With never a word left out.
Were printed each night
In clear black and white
‘Twould prove strange reading, no doubt.
And then, just suppose,
‘Ere our eyes we could close
We must read the whole record through;
Then wouldn’t we sigh
And wouldn’t we try
A great deal less talking to do?
And I more than half think
That many a kink
Would be smoother in life’s tangled thread
If half that I say in a single day
Were to be left forever unsaid.
-Author Unknown
And, in the words of Solomon…
A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver.
Proverbs 25:11
Enough said.
DIGGING DEEPER QUESTIONS:
- “Fitly spoken” means the right thing said at the right time, in the right place, to the right person, in the right way, for the right purpose. How do you or do you not do this well as a shepherd leader?
- How are your words inspiring or tearing down the sheep you’re leading? As a whole team or as individuals? Are there any sheep in your life that need to hear a fitly spoken word, either of encouragement or perhaps admonition?
- Thinking back to just the past few days, are there words you wish you could erase from the hearer’s ear? Is there an apology owed?
