Just like me.

I went to a conference a few weeks ago in Nashville led by Paige Benton Brown. It was a women's conference unlike any other I have been to. I fully expected flowery conversation about bubble baths and emotions. What I received was a packed day full of truth and excellent teaching on I Samuel 1-3.

One thing that stuck with me that Paige said was, "If I had a glass of water on my podium, and I knocked it over....why would the ground be wet? Because of gravity? Because I knocked the glass over? No. The ground would be wet because there was water in the glass." She equated this to the verse in Matthew 12:34 that says "The overflow of the heart the mouth speaks". She went on to say that so often, as women, we will say something unkind about someone else, or do something that is tacky and respond by saying, "Ooh...I can't believe I just said that! That is SO not like me!!" Actually, yes it is! It is exactly like me! Those words pretty much sum up the state of my heart quite nicely! The outpouring of our hearts is what is on our tongues.

I have thought about this several times since the conference. I often say things because it feels good to say them...not because they build anyone up. Afterwards, in order to save fact, I will respond with, "Ooh, that was ugly of me...but, do you know what I mean?" In an attempt to bring others down with me.

It is my aim, during Lent, to be more aware of my own sin and need of forgiveness. May I realize that the ugliness on my tongue is a direct reflection of the ugliness in my heart. Only with God's help might I be saved from my own sinfulness.