One of my dear little dance students has such a way with words. She is the child that will talk to everyone… and then talk, and talk, and talk some more. She is the one that is sure to let me know she is being a good listener- by talking. As I sat down in the waiting area with some of the dance moms, she asked, “Would you please pray for my mom?” “Of course,” was my reply. “What’s wrong?” In her typical projecting voice she said, “Oh, it’s kind of private!”
You see, word travels quickly with this little girl. She means well, but she hasn’t quite learned the art of bridling her tongue. I wonder how many of us are just as quick to speak when given the chance. We look forward to getting the latest news and quickly e-mailing, texting, or blogging it for the world to see. We take lightly the confidence others place in us. We guise gossip with sharing information for the purpose of prayer. We betray confidence even in the small things.
I think of the Proverbs 31 woman who, “opens her mouth with wisdom.” (Proverbs 31:26a). How convicting to think of the number of times I have opened my mouth in foolishness. But it is no mistake that godly speech is addressed in the picture of Proverbs 31. Using wisdom in our words is an area where we can all grow in grace. Let us not be like little girls, quick to speak and share others’ secrets. Let us be slow to speak so that when we open our mouths, it is with wisdom.
Entrusted With 