SURPRISE YOURSELF....SHHHH!
It is fair to say that everybody loves a SURPRISE! But then again it depends on what the SURPRISE is. Some SURPRISES leave us so shocked that we can hardly separate reality from fiction. Then there are those that leave us deeply saddened, especially if we hear about a sudden and unexpected death. But there are some SURPRISES that we gladly welcome. We are joyful at having a SURPRISE birthday party or seeing a long lost relative. What makes a SURPRISE a SURPRISE is that it is unexpected. It is the norm for others to SURPRISE us. But there is one area that we can SURPRISE ourselves – in what we say. So our FF for today is to SURPRISE YOURSELF…..SHHHH!
SURPRISE YOURSELF by saying nothing especially when you feel compelled to say something. Now when it comes to talking there are two extremes. Some people talk too much and others are just too quiet. But there are those who have a good balance. To SURPRISE YOURSELF….SHHHH is not for those who are usually very quiet. But that is not to say that those who are usually very quiet are saints with halos over their heads. We dare not allow ourselves to be fooled into thinking the “quiets” are necessarily peacemakers. Actually those who are extra quiet can SURPRISE us too with some things that can come from their mouths that we never expected. Neither should we think that someone who is being quiet is listening intently to you. Watch out! It could be the proverbial calm before the storm! But it is those who are quick to speak who often end up in trouble by speaking out of turn. And because we expect them to always speak, sometimes before thinking, then they do SURPRISE us when they SHHHH!
But even though we may not fall into either of the extremes and consider ourselves able to keep the balance of knowing when to speak and when to be quiet, there are those occasions where the balance is threatened. Be guaranteed that there will come a time in your life when somebody is going to push the wrong button and when that button is pushed you will be tempted to open that mouth of yours and say some words. Now before you say something that you may later regret, exactly at that moment remember to SURPRISE YOURSELFÂ….SHHHH! And you never know when those moments when the threat to your balance may come. It might be at the next Church board meeting, the office staff meeting, standing in line at the bank, trying to get on a next flight after your first flight was cancelled, having to ask your spouse to explain what he/she meant by that comment, going to see your childÂ’s teacher to address a complaint.
Rest assured that there will come (again) a moment when you will find yourself in a situation where you feel compelled to speak. And you are fully convinced that the words which will come from your lips may not exactly be inspired by the Holy Spirit. When you get to that moment, check yourself! Here’s what to do – SURPRISE YOURSELF….SHHHH! Afterwards, you’ll be glad you did. The person who pushed the wrong button will be glad too! Who knows some time later you may even be thankful that because you SURPRISED YOURSELF by SHHHH, then you maintained your Christian witness! After all nothing beats a good SURPRISE!
Mikie Roberts (Rev)
HereÂ’s the link for the blog. Join in the discussions.
http://moravians.net/serendipity/index.php?/categories/1-Friday-Focus
But even though we may not fall into either of the extremes and consider ourselves able to keep the balance of knowing when to speak and when to be quiet, there are those occasions where the balance is threatened. Be guaranteed that there will come a time in your life when somebody is going to push the wrong button and when that button is pushed you will be tempted to open that mouth of yours and say some words. Now before you say something that you may later regret, exactly at that moment remember to SURPRISE YOURSELFÂ….SHHHH! And you never know when those moments when the threat to your balance may come. It might be at the next Church board meeting, the office staff meeting, standing in line at the bank, trying to get on a next flight after your first flight was cancelled, having to ask your spouse to explain what he/she meant by that comment, going to see your childÂ’s teacher to address a complaint.
Rest assured that there will come (again) a moment when you will find yourself in a situation where you feel compelled to speak. And you are fully convinced that the words which will come from your lips may not exactly be inspired by the Holy Spirit. When you get to that moment, check yourself! Here’s what to do – SURPRISE YOURSELF….SHHHH! Afterwards, you’ll be glad you did. The person who pushed the wrong button will be glad too! Who knows some time later you may even be thankful that because you SURPRISED YOURSELF by SHHHH, then you maintained your Christian witness! After all nothing beats a good SURPRISE!
Mikie Roberts (Rev)
HereÂ’s the link for the blog. Join in the discussions.
http://moravians.net/serendipity/index.php?/categories/1-Friday-Focus
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