The Week in Words

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Welcome to The Week In Words, where we share quotes from the last week’s reading. If something you read this past week  inspired you, caused you to laugh, cry, think, dream, or just resonated with you in some way, please share it with us, attributing it to its source, which can be a book, newspaper, blog, Facebook — anything that you read.


 From Michele at A Quiet Gracious Life . . .

"Four things you can never recover: 
The stone after the throw. 
The word after it's said. 
The occasion after it's missed. 
The time after it's gone." 

 ~ Unknown 

How true those words are! I've said many a word in haste that I wish I could take back. It took me many years to learn to hold my tongue, and I'm still working on it, in case you're wondering when I arrived! I've missed occasions to witness, to say "I love you," to help a friend in need; I can never get those occasions back. And time . . . how I've wasted time! This little poem just spoke so clearly to me! Thanks for using it, Michele!

From Pastor Paul Chappell on Ministry127, in the article Before You Click Send . . . 

A simple acrostic that has helped me check my conversation reminds me to THINK:
T—Is it true?
H—Is it helpful?
I—Is it inspiring?
N—Is it necessary?
K—Is it kind?
I've tried to keep my online communications under these guidelines. A couple of months ago I clicked send on a comment on a friend's blog without thinking through my comment, and I had to go back and delete the comment and apologize. What I'd said wasn't kind or helpful or necessary, but by the time I got back to correct it, she had already seen the comment. We have to be so careful when we can click that send button so quickly! It's just as important to think before sending as it is to think before speaking . . . and it should be easier!

Comments

  1. Anonymous5:33 AM

    That poem is very poignant. I've missed more of those opportunities and occasions and let more unwise words fly than I care to count.

    And it is so wise to apply those principles to online communication as well. I'm astounded at what things people say online -- I guess there is something about the anonymity and not physically facing the target of one's words that makes people feel free to let loose like that. I like that online communication gives me more time to think and frame a response than in-person communication, yet I need to be careful to actually take that time and thoughtfully and kindly respond.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Bobbi11:49 AM

    Thanks for the very practical acrostic and the poem. WOW!

    ReplyDelete

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