Speak

Many things may come to mind when you contemplate this word.  Maybe it’s the old saying, “Children should only speak when spoken to.”  Or it may remind you of someone that tends to speak a little too often; or maybe the opposite, reminding you of someone that quietly holds their words close to themselves.  When I was new to working in sales and marketing in our business, I was a lot quieter than I am today (seriously, for those that know me).  My husband and I had scheduled a very important presentation to a local franchise organization, hoping for their business.  I was, of course, in charge of speaking to this large group of business owners (maybe 20 people total), presenting the many benefits of using our accounting services.  Well, I was ready, until I looked into all the faces staring at me, waiting for my words of wisdom.  You guessed it – I froze!  Seeing my panic, my husband rescued me with a whisper in my ear, “I got this.”  As time went on, speaking both one on one with people and in other situations got a little easier, knowing that I would survive.  Speaking to you each week is easy, because it really is Jesus’ words speaking to you.  I believe that many times, Jesus does give us the words to speak to others, offering them comfort, maybe a nudge in the right direction and just speaking without words to show our love.  Did you ever think how Jesus was able do all the things He did?  He spoke to the multitudes, he walked right up to strangers and knew what they were thinking, He drove out demons.  Everyone was watching His every move.  How intimidating that must have been, so much more than speaking to a group of business owners, as was my case.  Don’t you think that Jesus will give us the strength to speak (or not speak) in any situation, if we just ask?  Many times, maybe he even allows us to mess up because He alone knows our purpose, our path and, as a very good friend says, He uses these as teachable moments every day.  Let’s take the time today to thank God for all his teachable moments.  We are not perfect because we are Christians, we follow Christ because we know we are not, and always strive to be better.

“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”  Psalm 19:14