The Church Mouse: Oh be careful big mouth

The Church Mouse: Oh be careful big mouth

“Do not keep talking so proudly or let your mouth speak such arrogance, for the LORD is a God who knows, and by him deeds are weighed.” – 1 Samuel 2:3

I like baseball. The Cincinnati Reds are my favorite team and always have been since I was about 7 years old when my parents took me to a game at old Crosley Field.   

I have attended several Red’s games over the years. I like the Red’s win or lose. 

I have always listened to them on the radio and watched when the games were on TV. Back before the days of cable and satellite, the games were not always on TV. So, I always had my radio tuned to the Reds station. I always tried too attend a game or two every year. 

A few weeks ago I was talking to an acquaintance in Walmart, about my attending the ball game.  

He said. “So………you are a Christian? 

To which I replied.

“Yes!” 

“So what do you do about the beer they sell at the game?” 

He asked.

I began to pray to myself, as I could see where this conservation was heading. Then I paused….(sometimes God just gives you the right answer right away!) 

“Well, when I buy my ticket I am not required to buy beer. I go to the game see the Reds play ball, not to drink beer.” Was my reply. 

I continued on with this question for him. “I see you shopping here at Walmart.  So what do you do about the alcohol they sell here?” 

There was a long pause, while he shifted from foot to foot. Then not looking me in the eye he said hurriedly. 

“I have to go!”

This gentleman suddenly had to hurry on his way. 

I felt kind of bad at first for him. Then I realized that Satan was using him to attack my faith. There are bad things all around us in this world. We all have to make choices. I do not have to answer for your choices and you do not have to answer for mine.

I should not judge you. You should not judge me. That is God’s job. I have yet to see where God is taking applications for people to judges each other here on earth. 

We as humans sure do like to try that job on for size.  In the process of doing so we end up hurting ourselves and others. We, also end up giving Christianity a bad name. 

Remember that little song we learned as children. (This is the shorten version.)

“Oh be careful little eyes what you see. Oh be careful little ears what you hear. Oh be careful little feet where you go. Oh be careful little mouth what you say. For the Father up above is looking down in love.”

Maybe we should change the last two lines to:

 “Oh be careful big mouth what you say. Oh be careful who you talk about. For the Father up above is looking down in love.”

Thank heavens for that love! 

Prayer – “Heavenly Father, help us to not judge others, for that is your job. Help us not to think badly of others when we see them somewhere that we think they should not be. Remind to love each other as you loved us. Help us to remember to pray for guidance for ourselves. Thank you father for loving us when we fall short of obeying you. We ask this in your Son’s name, Amen.” 

the Church Mouse 

Work Hard; Pray harder!