The scripture for today, March 4 (3/4), is James 3:4 as found in the New Testament of the Bible:
“Take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.”
James, in this scripture, is talking about the tongue being a small thing, but it can get our entire lives into a lot of trouble. Once we say things, we cannot take them back.
What do you spend your day saying to people? You do have a choice. People do more good things than bad things. Do you respond to them with more good or more bad words? It is your choice.
When you compliment someone, they will take heart and try to do that good thing even more. When you berate someone, they will lose heart and probably do the bad thing again. Years ago there was a saying, “You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” Are your words honey or vinegar?
Jesus said out of our heart comes our words. If you normally say nice things to others, it shows you have a nice heart. If you normally say hard things to others, it shows you have a hard heart. Jesus also said, “Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
Starting now, when you launch out into a new day, go of your way to say small nice things to people. The rudder of your tongue may be small, but oh how powerful it is. It could help guide someone through a storm you don’t even know about. How powerful your words are.
That old saying, “You can catch more flies with honey than vinegar.” is absolutely true. While visiting my doctor’s office recently I encountered the rudest person in life. She was complaining about everything, not caring about the many patients waiting to see the doctor. She insisted on seeing the him immediately. When she was told she’d have to wait her turn she got nasty with the receptionist. I told her, ” Ma’am, you can take my turn. I believe I am next.” She stared at me for the longest time then said, “At least somebody’s got some manners around here!” I’m thinking, Really Lady?…She took her turn before me and we’ve been friends ever since.
I love your story.
Yesterday, I noticed on my Facebook newsfeed (which I peruse each morning when I put my daily inspirational thought on it) someone who friended me had some really hateful things to say about our president. I took the chance of being spammed or infected and said, “Do you love to hate?” She replied that she bets I never prayed for Obama and to go away. I replied, “Actually, I did pray for him and “why do you want me to go away?”. She wrote back, “Don’t go away, I like you.” We got started talking about how her family mistreated her as a child (I thought by her cover pic she was a teen) and how she hated spinach and liver. I told her I was sorry what she had been through and spinich and liver are my favorites. We got started talking about food and laughing, and finally I said, “I have things to do so much leave now. Would you do me a favor and not say negative things about any one on facebook any more?” She replied, “Maybe.” (Turns out she was 60.)
Maybe we should start a “honey campaign” in America.