LITTLE PICTURES HAVE BIG EARS

What are you sending into cyberspace?

Little pictures have big ears, is what my mom use to say when the adults were talking about something we children shouldn’t hear. They would monitor what was said in ear shot of a child.  Another favorite phrase was: ‘loose lips sinks ships.’ The meaning of that is obvious, and again they were cautious what was said and when.

An old adage is, God gave us two ears, but only one mouth. The idea being so we could listen more than we talk.  More is learned when listening than with continuous talking.  A picture is worth a thousand words, means in this day and age, with all the social media, one picture says volumes, and believe me people are listening. There doesn’t seem to be filters anymore. I see on face book picture after picture of people whose selfies are screaming, “Look at me!” “I am so great!”  REALLY? How about your family? Your volunteer work at school or at church. How about your help with the victims of the latest disasters? Who are you listening to and learning from, and who is listening to you? Is what you are saying on social media worth a listen from anyone? I think it is time to go back and revisit everything you have posted, tweeted and emailed in the last six months and grade yourself on the quality of your talking. Then see to whom you are listening. One thing may influence the other.  Are you someone who is teaching, or are you just an attention grabber?

As parents we have to watch what we say every day because our children are listening.  Are we complaining the minute we hit the house after work, or a sporting activity.  Are we teaching good sportsmanship, and work ethics, or are we teaching it is always someone else’s fault? Do they hear you pray, and seek God’s council? Just remember, once said, it can never be unsaid. What are you engraining in the memory of your children?

We as writers know, more than others, that what we put into print is permanent.   Let us be diligent to always be cognizant that people are listening. Let’s write something worth listening to.

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

James 1:19

But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. Luke 11:28

Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

Luke 12:3

Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you.

And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Jeremiah 29:12