Calamity Mouth

He who guards his mouth and his tongue keeps himself from calamity.
Proverbs 21:23


It's not easy.  Especially in this world, where we find so many loud voices.  But you must try.  Your mouth will get you in so much trouble.  There are times when I wish I didn't have a tongue at all.  It seems that every day I say things that I wish could be taken back.  But never can they be retrieved.  Words are like arrows shot from a bow.  You can't catch them and put them back before they do damage.


One problem, I find, is that when I stay silent, I often feel misunderstood.  People assume that if I don't speak, then I must not be interested in them.  I'm still learning this important skill.  How to make people feel valued while not flinging words about.  There is a trick to it.  It's called listening.  How hard that can be sometimes.  Especially when most people do fling words about.


What if we could weigh all of our words on a large scale?  We could put hurtful words on one side, and helpful, encouraging words on the other.  I'm afraid my hurtful side would not only tip the balance, but probably topple the table.  There are so many words that I regret.    


The old saying is true, "If you can't say something good, don't say anything at all."


Do not pile up regret my son.  Guard your tongue.  Don't be a calamity mouth.

Dad

So Many Reasons

Landon,


I wish I could explain what drives me to write all this stuff down.  You're not yet old enough to understand most of this.  But you will be soon, much sooner that I would like to think.  The following is the only explanation I have, I hope it will be enough.


...I write this because I love you.  And I know that I am so very fragile in mind and body.

...I write this because there are so many things that I want to teach you about being a man.  Many of those things I am still learning.  I want very much to be a great living example for you.  But I have not, and will not always be that.

...I write this because those face-to-face teaching moments are simply too few.  Teaching is so much more than telling.  I'm not sure that I will have the right words when the difficult situations arise.

...I write this because fatherhood is fading.  So many little boys just don't have good fathers.  Help them when you can.

...I write this because I had a great Dad, who worked very hard at establishing a generational legacy of knowing and honoring God.  I will not be the one to break that line.

...I write this for the grandson I hope to have.  You are going to make a great daddy.  I hope to be around for that.

...I write this because we both have an awesome and loving Heavenly Father, who sacrificed so much for us.  I pray that you will find forgiveness and abundant life in Him.

...I do not write this because I think myself a model parent.  I write this because I wish I were a better parent.

More than anything I write this because...

I love you,

Dad

My son, do not forget my teaching
   but keep my commands in your heart,
                                  Proverbs 3:1