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Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: QUESTION (S) (05/30/19)
When I launched my Facebook page, my daughter Chandre stormed into my study bearing a quizzical look. “Mom, what did you do?” she giggled. “I received a notification on Facebook that you created a page with the title, “What have you done with your tongue today”. Was that your intention, or was it a slip of the finger?”

The look on her face was priceless and trying hard not to explode with laughter, I gave her a pretend shocked look. I removed my reading glasses and buried my face in my hands, all the while shaking my head from side to side. Chandre found this amusing and I can only imagine the thoughts running through her mind. Something like, “My mother has completely lost it.”

When I finally looked up at her, she noticed tears streaming down my face and she realized I was laughing. “Mom, that was not funny,” Chandre shrieked. Eventually, I calmed down and told her the reason for the page.

It started some 15 years ago. I was busy with research for my next radio message. As I have always been interested in quirky titles, I was throwing ideas around. The message focused on things we say about ourselves and other people, the power of the tongue. That’s when it hit me. There used to be an advertisement for the Philips brand, and the slogan was, “what have you done with your Philips today”. With that jingle playing in my head, I decided “what have you done with your tongue today”, can be as catchy.

Seeing the confusion on Chandre’s face, I sat her down and explained. “The message I was writing for the radio station focussed on Matthew 15:10-11. “It’s not what goes into the mouth that makes the man unholy; but what comes out of the mouth, this makes the man unholy”. We must take note of what it is we are saying. We have fallen into the trap of negative thinking and negative speaking. We have followed the crowd in dealing with everyday issues. Instead of thinking before we speak, we grab hold of the popular narrative and we spew that at every issue or person we encounter. It is not what we eat that defiles us, but it is the garbage that runs from our lips which defiles us.

We have a choice. Not just on Sunday morning, when we are getting ready to put on our smiles and sit in church, but every day. We need to decide whether we will tackle the day positively or negatively. Those first few moments when you wake up in the morning – what is the first thing you think off? It is during these moments that we must realize we are at the beginning of yet another perfectly created day and that we should embrace this. I know there are hardships, and I know people all go through tough spots and not all are financially in a good place, but the difference is your attitude towards these problems.

Do you remember when I hit the financial glitch two years ago? Do you remember how I cried and felt sorry for myself?” I asked. “Yes Mom, I remember,” she smiled. “But I also recall you snapped out of it quickly. How did you do that?” she asked.

“I will let you in on a secret”, I winked. “I realized I had to stop feeling sorry for myself and surrender EVERYTHING to God. Not only one issue, but absolutely everything. Once I took that step, the next step was to stop talking negatively about my situation. It did not change my mood overnight, but a week later I was all smiles again, and you know how things turned out for us. It is a conscious decision we take, and we must refresh our minds daily so as not to fall back in that trap. It is a daily reminder that God will provide our needs according to His riches and glory. Be aware of the power of your tongue.

So, my darling daughter, that’s where the idea for this page was born. And now I have a question for you. What have you done with your tongue today?”

Smiling sweetly, Chandre looked at me and said, “Okay, I get it. Your Facebook page will be about what people say, or rather shouldn’t say?”

“Yes, spot on,” I replied. “So, did I answer your question?”
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This article has been read 116 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Linda Lawrence 
06/06/19
You did a fantastic job of drawing the reader into your opening scene. Good ending also. I suggest reworking the middle to make it more conversational and less sermon-like. This piece could be useful enough to be worth the extra time spent rewriting.
Dennis Gallemore 
06/08/19
I loved this!
Barbara Lynn Culler 
06/09/19
I'd not considered that there could be a less pure reaction to the question, so that's why the daughter was shocked. This kept me involved to see if it was accidentally a FB page. I would have preferred to have the Bible verses separated from the text, just to clean up the look of the page. It also needs the version used as part of the citation. But this was a great story!
Terry R A Eissfeldt 
06/11/19
I enjoyed this. Blessings