I have a big mouth.
God knows I have a big mouth and He uses it to bring glory to Himself. Satan also knows I have a big mouth and tries to convince me not to talk at all. Twice this week, people said this phrase to me…
“You do realize you said that out loud!”
I’m not Catholic and will not confess the conversations that led to that statement. Instead, I will share how God used my big mouth for good on Wednesday night.
There’s a middle-aged couple that sits in the front row next to the keyboard. Steve and Shirley always have a smile and an encouraging word for me. If I’m nervous before I play, I look at them and feel safe.
Only, I noticed Steve was gone for a few weeks. During church Wednesday night, God told me to make sure he knew I missed him. I marched up there, grabbed his arms and helped the two men on either side of him to pull him up. After his hands were firmly on his walker…
(Middle aged is 35 to 67!)
…I told him I noticed he missed two Wednesdays and I missed him. I think I even said it three times!
It turns out, Steve’s health had deteriorated. He is now so weak that his wife could no longer take care of him. She had to move him to a nursing home. She brings him to church because there are always burly men there willing to help him out of the chair and into the van.
He feels weak and useless but when he’s in that chair I have a mental pillar to lean on when I’m playing something new and unfamiliar. Steve and Shirley are always cheering me on.
Now, before you put me on a pedestal, remember the title of this post! I learned why my filter slips every once in a while in today’s verse.
Ezekiel 2:7, 8, “You shall speak My words to them, whether they listen or not, for they are rebellious. But you, son of man, hear what I say to you. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious house. Open your mouth and eat what I give you.” Modern English Version
God has used me to preach to preachers, correct Bible School Professors, ((that one gave my mom a heart attack!), teach teenagers, and explain “Why?” to children. Satan just wants me to shut up!
Sometimes, I just want to shut up! I will struggle with something, refuse to talk about it with David, and then blurt out my frustrations at a birthday party. Then I wish I were still housebound where I don’t have to worry about what I say – no one is listening!
Today I realized Satan wants to muzzle me. I will continue to open my big mouth but will examine myself for any rebelliousness or frustrations before I do. And, as always, I will apologize when I say something out of line.
This could take some time. (Sigh.)
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