Psalm 141:3 – Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. (KJV)

Sadly, I did it again. I unleashed my tongue when I should have bitten it.

As my husband was leaving the house this morning, I made a remark to him that I was immediately sorry for, the moment after I had said it.

His remark back to me made me feel even worse. He said, "Have a great day, Babe!"

Now, I am in the kitchen making pancit, which is a type of noodle dish, and chicken adobo.

My husband is Filipino, born in Hawaii, and these are two of his favourite dishes.

I will present these for dinner this evening along with a German chocolate cake for dessert, and a most sincere, humble, verbal apology.

I wish I had remembered James 1:26. "If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." Ouch!

James 3:8 also says, "But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison."

We may not be able to tame our own tongues, but we are told in Matthew 19:26b, "With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

As we yield to the Holy Spirit, who now lives within us, through His power we can have control over our tongues. We can choose to use them to speak life instead of death.

So, because I did not yield my tongue as an instrument of righteousness this morning, I have asked my heavenly Father to please forgive me. I will also ask my wonderful, loving husband's forgiveness this evening.

As a child of God, you might identify with me in my poem as the cry of our hearts when it comes to controlling our tongue.

Mouth Guard

Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord.
Please keep a watch over my lips.
I wouldn't want to hurt someone
By the words that I let slip.

Once I unleash my blazing tongue
And go on the attack,
Though I be filled with great remorse,
I can't make the words come back.

So help me think before I speak
Lest I wound my sister or my brother
With words that satisfy my flesh
But do not build up one another.

Prayer: May the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, our strength, and our redeemer. Amen.

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About the author:

Cheryl Mariano (Cheremiah) <cherylmariano@gmail.com>
Casa Grande, Arizona, USA
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