21 Do not pay attention to every word people say,
or you may hear your servant cursing you—
22 for you know in your heart
that many times you yourself have cursed others.
Ecclesiastes 7: 21-22
The Teacher, probably KIng Solomon and author of Ecclesiastes, continues in chapter 7 to ponder wisdom. These two verses grabbed my attention. I do not know if you have dealt with teenagers determined that they know what is best or have had to deal with people trapped in addiction who can throw the most horrible words at you as they remember your history differently or perhaps you have just plain had one of those horrible fights with a significant other and all of a sudden your mouth is out of control and unkind words are said. I’m sure I have fallen into all three scenarios. I reminded my daughter that I had indeed gone to the senior high school prom and she replied, “Oh mother, that was last century!” One of my sons just chuckles when I share my wisdom and says, “Mom, you drink your kool-aid and I’ll drink mine.” These situations we might be able to dismiss as youth but there are other times when I find myself with a group of friends who are sharing their opinions about a political figure or even a missing friend or leader and I find myself remaining silent or slanting my truth in their direction. The desire for group acceptance can color remarks.
The Teacher speaks into these sort of scenarios and advises us not to take what we hear too seriously. He has warned us against being quick to anger and about the potential power and danger of words. He warns against dealing in gossip. A new popular TV series, Bridgerton, zeroes in on the elite in British society as everyone reads Lady Whistledown’s Society Paper about who is doing what in the “coming out” seasons for young ladies. The newspaper ties the series together as all are wondering who the writer is and how she gets her information. The Teacher warns that our lives can become a roller coaster as we are elated when we think we are valued and deflated when we feel misunderstood. Our focus needs to be on the continual message of God who does not change daily like Lady Whistledown.
As we go through this political season when truth seems so slippery and as we daily exchange words with loved ones and friends, may our conversations be positive and affirming, looking for the best possible construction for our responses.
On the Way to Wonder 