Beware of Moths and Sligs

I will be attending the Indianapolis Christian Writers' Conference this weekend, so I thought you'd enjoy a little devotional today. I covet your prayers as I seek God for direction in my writing, and renewed passion. Thanks and love, Jen

"Life and death are in the power of the tongue." Proverbs 18:21

From the open kitchen window, I heard Esther and Ron playing in the sandbox on our patio. Ron was touring his Little People bus up and down the trails he’d made in the damp sand.
“Now, Ron,” began five-year-old Esther, her tone full of caution, “if you ever go on a real bus, make sure you sit way in the back.”
“Why?” asked Ron.
Estie’s voice became dark with caution: “Because if a moth or a slig (her word for slug) comes in the front, you can run out the side door before it gets to you.”
Ron stayed his usual calm self. “What will it do if it gets me?”
“Well, the moth will bite all your clothes off. I’m not sure what the slig will do, but you just better sit in the back like I said!”

Although Esther’s motive was protecting her younger brother from harm, I wondered where she’d picked up the idea that moths would gobble your clothes down to the zippers. Perhaps she’d overheard Kevin and I talk about putting moth cakes in her closet so her clothes wouldn’t be ruined. That’s how rumors get started, I chuckled to myself.

In thirty-five years of ministry, we’ve had to dispel a few rumors of our own. Shortly after we were married, we moved from our first pastorate to a church several hours away. In the mail one day came a package from one of our former “sheep,” an elderly lady we’d grown close to. When I opened it and saw the lovely pale green and yellow crocheting, I squealed with delight, “Oooh, a lap robe. How thoughtful of Lydia. She must have known it was colder down here than in Fresno.” Then I saw them: silky pastel green and yellow ribbons on each corner of my new “lap robe.” I held it up for Kevin’s admiration.

“Um, Jeanette, I don’t think covering our laps was what Lydia had in mind when she made that. I imagine it’s meant to cover a baby.”
“Oh dear,” I moaned. “I wonder how she got the idea we were expecting?”
I sat down that moment and wrote her a sincere thank you note for all the work and love she’d put into our “lap robe,” explaining that we weren’t planning our family just yet, but when we did, she’d be one of the first to know.

Do you wonder how rumors get started? Are people bored and long to stir up some excitement, so they make up a shocking story? Do they see something that looks suspicious, and don’t bother to ask the people involved what’s really going on? Or, like Estie, do they misunderstand and misinterpret something they’ve heard?

Regardless of the reason for a rumor’s beginning, we children of the Lord must not be guilty of spreading questionable news about a person, group or business. It’s important that we go to the source of the rumor and find out the truth, so we can stop it if it’s gossip. The writer of Proverbs tells us, “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose” (Proverbs 18:21).

We can ruin a person’s reputation or cause a panic by negative, deadly words. Or, we can lift someone’s broken spirit with positive, life-giving words. We’re not bringing death or life to only those to whom we speak. Our words bring curses or blessing to our own hearts as well.
Next time you hear something that sounds a little juicy, think before you pass it on. Those sligs and moths may be listening, and we wouldn’t want them to get the wrong idea.

I'm Behind You: A Devotional for a Wednesday

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor.” Romans 12:10, NASB

Before I married a preacher, I worked a short time as a waitress. I learned a valuable phrase I my first day on the job, spoken to fellow servers: “I’m behind you.”

No one wants to turn around and cannon into a tray brimming with hot coffee, Denver omelets, and oatmeal with raisins. Fifteen Cub Scouts and their troop leader get impatient when you have to re-scoop their ice cream because you dropped the original bowls on the floor after forgetting to say, “I’m behind you!” to the busboy. It’s wise to let people know of a potential mess, so you both can avoid it.

Tonight Kevin was getting a pizza out of the oven. I walked behind him, carrying our salad bowls. Although thirty-five years have passed since I served food professionally, I still said, “I’m behind you.” When those three words hit the air, they gripped my heart in a new way. I was not simply telling Kev to “watch out;” I was helping him succeed at his task of the moment. I was supporting him. We all need this kind of help.

Are you struggling to make ends meet on a stingy budget? If I slip a ten in your pocket, I’m behind you.
Do you doubt if your marriage can last one more night, or one more fight? If I listen and pray for strength for you, I’m behind you.
Is your kid making choices that break your heart? If I hug you and say “Don’t give up,” I’m behind you.
Are you afraid of what the doctor might find on the next test? If I pray for your healing and tell you “I love you,” I’m behind you.
Do you wonder where your dream got lost? If I encourage you to keep hoping, I’m behind you.

Rebuking and finding fault rarely motivate anyone to succeed. Most of us avoid critical, sour individuals. But we love to be near people who bring out the best in us, helping us believe in ourselves and our dreams. We achieve things we thought impossible by having just one or two caring friends say, “I’m behind you.”

You can be that friend to someone today. Instead of turning your back on a need or mocking a dream, be wise enough to say, “I’m behind you. Let me help you succeed.” For your fellow servers, it will make the difference between messes to clean up or miracles to celebrate.