Thought for Monday, 19 September 2022

Ephesians 4:29

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according

to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

What can I say today? The day we lay Queen Elizabeth ll to rest. No matter what she thought in her private thoughts we never ever heard her saying anything derogatory about anyone or even any place. The queen was dignified in every word and action, she may have been different in private but somehow I doubt that.

Many times she may have had, in my opinion, a cause to be angry or sad about events. However, Queen Elizabeth was able, with God’s help, to rise above all the bad times she faced and be gracious to everyone. In fact watching interviews of people who had met her, for any reason, were all alike impressed by how welcoming the Queen was and how kind her words were.

How often have we spoken words without thought of the hurt we may be causing, perhaps without even realising how they might be perceived by the person spoken to. We cannot take the words back, once said they are permanently etched on that mind. We must also remember that it is not only the words but the way they are said.

I am reminded of the story of the teacher (or whoever) squeezing out a tube of toothpaste then telling his student to put the toothpaste back into the tube. Impossible of course but underlining the point that words cannot be unspoken.

Let us keep Ephesian 4:29 in our minds when speaking with others under any and all circumstances. I have been watching parts of the funeral today and I am not saying anything about the sub-titles because there is nothing good to be said about them.

Unfortunately I do sometimes (too often really) say what is in my mind without thinking, I try not to and I do pray that the Holy Spirit will still my tongue before I speak so that I might think about whether my words are kind, true or helpful. I hope I am getting better though because I am praying that the Holy Spirit will still my tongue before I say anything hurtful.

Our late Queen was a shining example of Christianity, servant to her people to the end.

God bless the Queen, God save the King.

 

Prayer

Sovereign Lord God, King above all kings, we come to You on this day when we commit the mortal remains of our queen into Your hands. We pray that we ourselves may be as steadfast in our faith as Your servant Elizabeth ll always was. Help us Lord to be servants also, as Christ Jesus was throughout His life here on earth. Let us be an example to all we meet of Your great love, mercy and graciousness to us. Amen