Have your words ever encountered a mental traffic jam traveling from your brain to your lips?
Our writer's group has grown like my waistline after a run-in with a box of Godivas, so we
decided to split it into two. The group, not the chocolates.
 |
| Courtesy of Simon Howden @freedigitalphotos.net |
One bonus will be a shorter drive for many members since they'll now meet at a central location. The new group's hostess, Karen,
asked if I planned to attend critique at her house. Because of the
distance between our homes...
I meant to say:
"My husband doesn't want me to drive that far."
Instead I said:
"My husband doesn't want me going
to that area."
"That area" conjures images
of drug dealers lurking around dilapidated buildings, the opposite
of Karen's beautiful home and neighborhood.
 |
| Courtesy of Rosemary Ratcliff @freedigitalphotos.net |
She said my statement reminded her of
Elvis Presley's old song, "In the Ghetto," and laughed off my thoughtless words.
I'm confident she would have forgiven
me even if she hadn't just guest blogged on Teresa Tierney's,"Roadbocks to Forgiveness" site.
(Here's a link to Karen Cameron's great post on forgiving offenses. )
But the incident made me wonder how often
I've opened my mouth and inserted my strappy-sandaled foot without
realizing it.
We've all said things we regret.
 |
| Courtesy of Stuart Miles @freedigitalphotos.net |
If you're cringing over a remark you made:
1) Apologize ASAP.
2) If appropriate, clarify what you
meant.
If a remark has wounded you, consider
this:
Could it have been a misworded
statement, or something heard out of context?
Regardless of the intent, we can mimic
Teresa Tierney and Karen Cameron's examples of forgiveness, and use
this Godly wisdom going forward:
"Understand this, my dear brothers
and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow
to get angry." James 1:19 NLT
Message from my waistline: When it comes to dealing with issues, God is better than Godivas.
