Caught in a truth

Last weekend I was surrounded by 25 women in one of their homes. It was loud, a bit chaotic but a lot of fun. Among the 25, I knew 2, and really 1 of the 2 I knew more than as an acquaintance. As I’m talking with all of them, socializing and doing what I do, a 12 year old girl came over and started talking to me.

She reminded me a lot of my niece so we talked about jewelry, school and age..believe it or not. Bless her heart, she showed shock when I told her I was 30.

Once she walked away, an older woman was standing beside me and I mumbled half to myself half to her, ‘she is such a cutie.’ That’s when the woman told me she was her Grandmother. I had a moment of panic, replaying what I said, figuring if I said something nice or not (it was chaotic, so the brain was running a little slow) but I was relieved I in fact said a compliment.

It was in that moment it occurred to me just how careful I need to be with my words. What if I said something unpleasant about the girl (though there wasn’t anything unpleasant about her)? But what if the baby that was getting passed around was getting on my nerves and I let something slip with someone standing near? Or another woman…anyone.

You never know who is around you. But more so, you never can be certain who knows who when you’re talking about someone {whether its good or bad}.

We all know its best to keep certain comments to ourselves. It doesn’t benefit anyone to talk down about someone, but we’re human and things slip out, sometimes before we can even stop them from tumbling past our lips.
via pinterest

I know from experience.

After that night, I realized how loose my lips had been about that certain person I’ve replaced at work. Mind you, I’m not saying anything mean, rude or nasty. Only facts about how she was “running” the company, but I’ve been rather vocal about it.

This office had only had me there (at the time) for 2 days and I was openly talking about how wrong she was doing things, and what’s bad is that office is brick and the voice carries no matter how quiet you get. So I know, I wasn’t being cautious as I should because truthfully, I don’t know where these co-worker’s loyalties lie. But I can tell you, its not with me.

I’ve been reckless. It took me saying a kind word about a girl to the unsuspecting Grandmother for me to realize it.

Many times people will pretend they don’t know the person you’re talking about or even pretend they don’t like them in order to get your ‘dirt’. I’ve done it before, so I know there are others who do it with far better skill than me.

Think about holding your tongue if a stranger is annoying you. Their spouse could be right behind you, or the mother.
Search your heart if you find yourself always criticizing others or putting them down. You don’t gain anything by insulting others, it only serves to paint you in an ugly light, and who wants to be in the ‘ugly light’?

Psalm 141:3
Set a guard, OH LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.

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