"But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken." ~Jesus
When I was a teenager, I travelled around the U.S. in a cab-over camper with my best friend, her mother and her sisters. We whirled through around thirteen states and visited with her family. As was their custom, every Sunday we had to go to church. No matter where we were, we ended up in some pew singing hymns and listening to a sermon. One of those Sunday's, my friend taught me a very valuable lesson.
We were sitting in the customary third row. Close enough to be serious yet not too close to the front. My friend and I loved to sing together. We were belting out hymns together in this little white chapel. When all at once, my friend stopped. I continued on and she never did join back in. After the service, I asked her if she had a sore throat or something. Why did she stop singing? Her answer has stuck with me to this day. She said, "I couldn't sing those words because I'm not sure I believed them." Huh? They were only song lyrics!
It wasn't until years later that I realized the wisdom of her answer. She was not going to sing anything to the Lord that she felt was a lie. This dear friend of mine taught me that I really needed to know not only what I believe and why I believe it but to be careful of the words that come out of my mouth. Because, even if they are accompanied by a catchy tune, they are still words!
"For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned." ~Jesus
We love you Marie, and the wonderful summer we spent together...even if I did have a broken arm. We still love singing, and although usually when I stop singing it's because I'm caught by the emotion, singing (and saying) only what you believe in is a good lesson to live by.
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