Monday, June 6, 2005

Me and my big mouth

     My mom and dad lived in country of Turkey before I was born.  That’s where my dad was stationed in the Air Force.  I love hearing stories of their life and adventures there.  I do internet searches on Turkey all the time.  I found a interesting story about a crane from that region.  I’m sure any of us would cringe at the thought of a mouth full of gravel.  But a stone in the mouth can actually be desirable-at least that seems to be true for these cranes that inhabit the Taurus mountains of southern Turkey    

     These cranes tend to cackle a lot, especially while flying.  All that noise gets the attention of eagles, who swoop down and seize them for a meal.  The experienced cranes avoid this threat by picking up stones large enough to fill their mouths.  This prevents them from cackling-and from becoming lunch for the eagles. 

     We too seem to have a problem with our mouths.  I do sometimes.  Yesterday was a perfect day for that.  Right before church too.  Shame on me!  I’m not sure why but I just got very mouthy.  When everything in my head was just saying shut up Derek.  The writer of proverbs wrote, “He who guards his mouth preserves his life, but he who opens wide his lips shall have destruction.” (13:3).  “A fool’s lips enter into contention, and his mouth calls for blows.”

     I wonder how many of our troubles could be prevented if we would learn to control our tongues?  How much of the heartache we cause others could be avoided if we would guard our speech!  Ok I’m admitting it I sometimes have a problem with my mouth.  Sometimes I just can’t keep it shut.  I need help!  Ok lord I’m asking for help on this one.  Help me think before I speak.  The move has gone well.  We’ve got most of my stuff unpacked, it’s just getting everyting clean and organized now.  It doesn’t look like Sanford and Son anymore at least.  We're waiting for Bellsouth to get our computer outlet fixed.  So until then I'm internet free, which has been killing me, but I will survive.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Oops something has gone wrong with this entry.  I will check later, maybe you can fix it.

Anonymous said...

I think we all have trouble with things slipping form the tongue that after we say them we go "why did I just say that" but we would not be human if we did not make mistakes.....Glad the move has been good and things are getting unpacked..makes you want to say I will never move again for 20 years.

Anonymous said...

Excellent entry. It seems to me, at least in my life, that this especially pertains to the people that are closest to me......my lips and tongue sometimes need to be caged!  Thanks for the reminder.   Anne

Anonymous said...

I think we`ve all done that!
V

Anonymous said...

But I think there is also a danger in keeping quiet when you want to shout or discuss or just sing.  Does the scripture address that?  I say let it out and everybody else will just have to deal with it.   Russ

Anonymous said...

Don't you hate that?!  The more you try to curb your mouth the harder it is and the next thing, you're off and running with all green lights.  Sometimes, I can't keep it shut either.  And, especially with those closest to me...      

Anonymous said...

I totally understand about taming the tongue.  It can get us in big trouble.  Once somebody says something out of anger to another, it can cause awkward tension for years to come between those people.  I try to keep that in mind before I speak when angry.

http://journals.aol.com/chrisuab/noseriously

Anonymous said...

I cannot count how many times my tongue has gotten me into trouble!

Anonymous said...

I do that every now and then, when I know I should keep quiet and before I know it the words pop out!  It has got me in trouble more times than I wish to remember.

Glad to hear the move is going well.  I moved not too long ago and feel for you.  I still have some stuff to do, but that is always the case I guess.  

I hope you have a great weekend, Jeff  http://pointclickjeff.blogspot.com/