Tuesday With Teri

          Sassiness just happens.  I often INTEND to say something of value in the presence of others, yet find my comments are sometimes just plain sassy or snide, neither of which are helpful to the hearer.  Case in point, I have no problem reminding my friends who are 50 they are not just 50, they are over half a century.  To my friends who are transplants to this area and often miss their home states, I find  much delight in noting how Virginiaifed they have become, especially when their kids are born and they soon have more Virginians in their home than not.  Of course all my “comments” are tended to be good natured fun…but the other night someone shared with me something that has me thinking quite a bit about my words these days.

          We were at church when a friend told me a story about a person who was very sarcastic in his humor.  Seems this guy was at church one day when following one of his comments, the gentleman he spoke to turned to him and said something like, “I don’t like how you always say things that put me down, it really discourages me.”  Now, I may have mangled the quote a bit because I don’t recall it all word for word…but two things struck me; First, was my friend telling me this story because “I” am often heard giving others a hard time? Second, could someone I know possibly be feeling as the gentleman in this story did?

          It was just a quick story and my friend did not intend to teach me a lesson in the sharing, but I did take home a lesson none the less.  It is possible that for the sake of being funny, I say things that are less than uplifting.  I try to be smart or spiritual…but sassiness just spills from my lips.  I want my words to be welcome to the hearer.  I do not want others to feel the need to brace for my comments or hurtful wit.  Sassiness just happens.

          I don’t mean to make myself sound like I am verbally abusive or insensitive.  On the contrary, I think I am close to normal in the amount of verbal volleying that takes place within my circle of friends and family.  I think good natured ribbing among friends and family is not so bad.  I have just been feeling lead to be a better steward of the resources of my words.  This task is best compared to trying to stop Niagara from falling….good thing “ALL things are possible through God..”

How precious a gift we have in our relationships with others.  It is worth our effort to curb our comments and allow our words to be helpful and not hurtful. 

Ephesians 4:29 is worth looking at from two different translations:

Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification,

that it may impart grace to the hearers. (NKJ)

 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,

but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs,

hat it may benefit those who listen. (NIV)

Lord help us to be mindful of the impact of our words. 

Allow us to bring blessings to others when we give our speech over to You.

Let our words  “give grace to the hearers”.