Christian Living

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Larry Lilly's Letter Tuesday April 20, 2010

Number two daughter, Jennifer, often remarks on her Facebook page that she is "drinking coffee and reading Dad's letter for today." I certainly agree more people would be better off with a cup of strong black coffee accompanied by my letter. Coffee would give them a lift and ripping my letter to shreds in a fit of disagreement would provide exercise.

I talked with daughter number one about Jennifer and asked what Jennifer is doing for a living and I discovered that said daughter is as afeared as I to ask. So maybe daughter number two is pursuing a career as a writer. Her love for coffee causes me to lean toward this persuasion. Famous aviator and writer Anne Morrow Lindberg stated:

"Good communication is as stimulating as black coffee, and just as hard to sleep after."

When you give it a little thought the statement is very true. I seem to have a reverse metabolism and things that put most people to sleep, keep me awake. Thus, my habit of sipping a cup of strong black coffee just before bedtime. On the other hand, a stimulating conversation will wake me out of a stupor. I'm sure you know some people who are so thrilling to be around that the mere sound of their voice will put you into a comatose state, whereas a precious few others will wake you and cause your mind to spring to attention and after hours of talking you feel totally rejuvenated. I know from years of listening to religious speakers at conferences the dramatic difference between a stupendous sermon and a stupefying one. I leave it to you to guess which kind is predominant.

As a rule of good communication, tone of voice plays a major role as does pitch and certainly content that you find interesting. Tone, pitch excitement in the voice has no effect on me if you are talking about something in which I have no interest. Some of the most exciting voices on earth have tried to thrill me with the news that yet another church lady has developed the absolute very best Meatloaf on earth. Yawn.

On the other hand I answered the phone one evening and immediately wished I had not, for the voice was a dud as to tone, pitch, and level of excitement. Yet, I was thrilled as to the content. The communications failure wanted to meet with me, have a cup of coffee at a place noted for such and he said he felt led of the Lord Jesus to donate $10,000 to our ministry. $10,000 offsets a lot mumbling. Try me on this. Please.

Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

Larry Lilly Copyright © 2010 Use with credit

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