Watch What Your Heart Hears
The Heart Can Hear What The Lips Did Not Speak
Loss of hearing is an unwelcome part of aging – sometimes I flat out miss words people say. Other times I wish I had missed the words they said. Occasionally I hear what no one spoke – my heart hears unspoken words – words that are as powerful tools, or dangerous weapons.
Memories, recriminations, resentments, and accusations begin whispering words, potent tools, or weapons, that rob me of my charm . . . and my usefulness.
Who needs that?
Nobody.
So in a recent sermon on James 1:1-12, the pastor urged us that to control our tongue and thoughts is to control much in our lives. (The Tongue)
The pastor reminded us how careful we are with everyday items, like propane tanks, or table saws; how much more carefully should we use our words! Moreover, the sermon on highlighted the power of unspoken words.
As A Man Thinks, Is He So?
Through the sermon, I heard: Letting my thoughts roam about unchecked is as unproductive and dangerous as gossipy condemnation of others.
What’s worse, unchecked speech and thoughts can make us useless, the pastor said.
Useless is not what I want to be, even in an autumn’s garden!
In the natural world, we reap what we sow. The pastor warned about the harvest our words – and thoughts — can yield.
What am I sowing in my mind and heart with my unspoken words?
My old tongue may not utter what my heart hears, but hear it does – especially when my body will not cooperate with all the ambitions I have for the day, and my heart chimes in.
Occupying a smaller and smaller space in this crazy wonderful world – figuratively speaking – I can “hear ‘ unspoken words forming unsound thoughts. Being realistic about my abilities and limitations is a good thing, a wise thing. I can’t keep up with my former self. (Not that I was setting records for much) But, being Old doesn’t mean useless. I may be in a slower lane, but I’m still in the race!
Hence, I heard a stern warning in the pastor’s sermon about the tongue, that reminded me of a proverb:
A man may dwell so long upon a thought that it may take him prisoner. ~ George Savile (A New Day: 365 Meditations for Personal and Spiritual Growth)
Yikes!
Set a guard over my mouth and heart, Lord, and set me free from prisons of my own making. Let my heart hear tested words.
In what you say of another, apply the test of kindness, necessity and truth, and let nothing pass your lips without a 2/3 majority. ~Liz Armbruster