Keeping with the subject of gossip, my today's Sparkling Gem devotion's verse is a rough one!! "But the tongue can no man tame, it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison." James 3:8
Yikes!
For me, a lot of the time the temptation (especially at work) to tell something that is none of my business or concern, or to tell something that is critical about another co-worker, is a strong temptation and I cave into it. Today's devotion talks about are you a revealer or a concealer? Do you keep confidences or do you repeat them to others? Do you listen to gossip as well as speak it? Very convicting as I have to admit this is a weak area for me and probably for many women.
I have wondered, what exactly is gossip? And in yesterday's devotion it gave a clear definition, which boils down to:
1. Talking about other people's business and things that do not concern you.
2. Repeating what someone else said, even though you don't know if it's true or not.
3. Talking to others as if you were an authority about matters that are other people's business, when in reality you don't know that you are talking about!
Ouch!!! I raise my hand as guilty on all three counts!
And of course, there's the other litmus test: Is it true? Is it kind? Is it ethical?Would I say what I am saying about a person if the person was standing right in front of me? Was I there? Did I see it? Would the subject of my 'gossip' or 'sharing' give me permission to share it?
Today's devotion about being a revealer or a concealer also talked about walking away from gossip, or being bold enough to say " I don't feel comfortable talking about so and so this way"...or "excuse me, but do you think we should be talking this way?" I have done that at times, but not enough. I know there's the fear of if you say something like that, the person that was telling you something will think that you are trying to be holier than thou, or judge them. But I think it can be said in a kind way, even something like "I am really trying hard not to gossip, or to talk about others unless they are right here" and put it on yourself. I think for me, this is a weak area and one I want to come up higher in. So my prayer for today is that I would think about what gossip is (sin!) and ask God to help me in that area...to speak positive things about people, keep my mouth shut about gossiping about others...figure out what is my business and what isn't, and if it isn't my business to keep my opinions and nose out of it.
On another note....yesterday was not too bad at work and I got some stuff done. However, it was sad because a fairly new co-worker was let go. She was just a lovely girl, but had trouble mastering the things she had to do, and even with lots of patience and extra training, she just was having a hard time grasping things and the bosses made the really hard decision to have to let her go. I felt bad as I didn't get a chance to say goodbye to her, it happened at the end of the day, and of course she left pretty quick as I am sure she felt really bad. I am thinking about getting her address maybe and sending her a little note saying I enjoyed getting to know her and working a little with her...I don't know if it would be appropriate or not though. Anyway, I am praying for her, I hope she finds a new job soon and one that will be the best one for her.
We are going to Tim's parents place at Pt Ludlow/Hood Canal, WA on Thursday and Friday for the 4th of July and coming back Saturday...then we'll pack up and head over to north central Idaho for some camping for a few days. It has been warm here in the high 80's but is supposed to be in the 90's and 100 over there where we are going. We are taking the camper and the dogs...but don't have air conditioning in the truck or camper! I am not a camping queen, so a yearly camping trip is something I do for my husband...it is not my cup of tea. Having Tank now will make it a bit more challenging this year camping, but hopefully we can go to some rivers and the dogs can swim and play...Tim wants to fish. I am going to take some good books, my Bible and a journal and am looking forwarding to some reading and writing. However, I think my trip to Hawaii with my mom in March will be my vacation highlight of this year!! See pictures included here of me and a Fiji island dancer at the luau we went to and also me and my mom, shopping at Hilo Hatties on the Big Island of Hawaii! It was my first time to Hawaii....my hubby couldn't go as he didn't have vacation time and my mom and stepdad paid for my trip! It was lots of fun for sure, and staying at a nice place and laying on the beach, sightseeing and eating out was my idea of a fine vacation for sure!
