I wish I could say I joined our local gym in order to ensure a sleek physique. However, the truth is that I joined for the sole purpose of using its Jacuzzi. The fact that the dressing room is only ten steps away from said Jacuzzi also influenced my decision, minimizing my out-of-the-water exposure time. Without some serious tanning and toning, vein-stripping and girth-tightening, I don't make a pretty picture in my bathing suit. Thus clad, I am very cautious about appearing in public --partly for my sake, but mostly out of courtesy and concern for others. I do not wish to cause unnecessary trauma to the eyes.
Unfortunately, it's hard to find a time when the Jacuzzi actually offers water hot enough to ease my achy joints. For some reason, the temperature has been especially hard to regulate for several months now. I keep getting texts from the facility apologizing for this inconvenience. I keep thinking I'll cancel my membership if I keep getting those kinds of texts.
Aside from the temperature, it's even more challenging to find a time when the Jacuzzi is unoccupied. On several occasions, I have reluctantly replaced my pool shoes with my tennis shoes and trudged a mile or two on the treadmill in lieu of joining strangers in the hot tub.
Yet now and then the perfect timing and the right temperature actually coincide and I have the Jacuzzi all to myself. A state of bliss and gratitude ensues.
Such was the case one Saturday night. I had just eased down into the frothing water thinking Ahhhhhhhh, This is the life when after a few short minutes, a former student strides from the locker room toward the weight room and stops beside the Jacuzzi when he recognizes my face. That's all that was showing above the bubbles, I hoped.
"Hey, Mrs. Parker. How are you doing?" he asks.
"I'm great. How are you?" I manage.
"Fine, fine. I'm back in town living with my grandma and looking after her."
"Oh, I'm sure she appreciates that."
Yes, ma'am. She's had some health problems and needed someone in the house with her, so I moved back to help out."
"That's very noble of you. What about school?"
And so the conversation went, a lovely catch-up time with a student whose big heart made me very happy. My happiness began to fade, however, when after ten minutes or so, I realized that the Jacuzzi timer was likely to stop and all the foaming bubbles covering my torso were about to dissipate. That's when I started to wind down the conversation and speed up my silent prayers: Lord, please don't let those bubbles stop. Please don't let those bubbles stop.Please help this nice young man go on his way before those bubbles stop.
Thankfully, that's exactly what happened with all of a minute to spare. I jumped out of that Jacuzzi and bolted for the dressing room before there was another passing.
Now, safely dried and dressed, I stopped to think about other kinds of bubbles I don't want to stop—the bubbles of enthusiasm, effervescence, and energy that should indicate the joy of living for Christ and loving others in His name. I also thought about the kind of “clothing” I should always be wearing so that I need never be ashamed: “Clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (
Colossians 3:12
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
b, NIV). Father, please help me wear the things that glorify you and when necessary, cover me with bubbles!
I never really knew what I did to offend her. But she left no doubt she loathed me. Scathing accusations and blistering insults blazed out of her mouth, leaving me burned and bewildered. I backed away and determined to stay away as much as possible. And then I remembered what my friend Charlene told me to do when confronted with unmerited criticism: “Don’t nurse it. Don’t curse it. Don’t rehearse it. Just reverse it.” Later, when everyone else had left work for the day, I went back to her office, laid my hand on her doorframe, and prayed for her needs to be met, her anger to subside, and for us to settle our misunderstandings peacefully. Every time I felt the nervous tension from that confrontation return, I breathed a silent prayer of blessing for her. It took a few months, but eventually she acted as though nothing had ever happened.
Remember how Jesus responded to his accusers? Silence. No pretending. No defending. He listened to what they said, but often said nothing in return. Although saying nothing might be the best response, saying as little as possible is the next best.
Dr. Kirk Neely, author and pastoral counselor, offers another means of mouth-muzzling when dealing with critical, negative people. If confronted by an undeserved tirade or criticism, he suggests responding with: “I’m sorry you feel that way.” After all, arguments and accusations are often built and sustained on feelings rather than facts. By using this limited verbal response, you acknowledge the accuser’s feelings, but do not agree with his interpretation, or misinterpretation, of the facts.
“I’m sorry you feel that way.” There’s nothing in that statement that can be disputed or that requires further discussion. Basically, it shows you were listening and that you heard what the other person had to say, but not necessarily that you agree. It’s a great way to honor someone’s feelings without compromising your own. When the conflict dissipates, chances are you can work together to reach a mutual agreement. If not, at least no lasting damage has been inflicted. Meanwhile, if you’re like me, there are plenty of other times your mouth may need a muzzle and your mind a redirection.
For example, when tempted to complain, why not send up a silent prayer of thanks instead? Regardless of your circumstances, give thanks for how God promises to work everything together for good.
When tempted to manipulate, breathe a prayer for God to take control and then determine to trust His sovereignty.
When tempted to over commit, resolve not to add anything to your calendar until you have prayed and considered the effect on yourself and all others involved.
When tempted to make derogatory remarks, muzzle your mouth until you can recall some redeeming quality or offer a sincere compliment.
When tempted to make comparisons, ask the Lord to help you be content with what you have.
In these and many other situations, keeping our tongues from sin is quite a challenge. Other than muzzling our mouths, perhaps the best way to be sure the words we do speak please the Lord is by constantly praying King David’s petition from
Psalms 19:14
May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heartbe pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
OPEN VERSE IN BIBLE (nlt)
(NIV): “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.”
