Giving Some Sage Advice
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesWhile growing up, my grandmother gave me some sage advice by saying, “If you can’t say anything good about someone, just don’t say anything at all.”
Which reminds me of the following humorous stories:
There was a young preacher who one day announced to his church family that he was resigning his preaching position and moving to another state that he considered a mission field.
As he greeted the members after the morning service was concluded, one of the elderly ladies approached him. Her eyes were filled with tears as she exclaimed, “Oh, preacher, I’m so sorry you’ve decided to leave. Things will never be the same again.”
The young preacher was flattered — so much so, that he took her hands in his and said to her, “Bless you, dear sister, but I’m sure that God will send you a new preacher even better than I.”
The elderly sister choked back a sob and said, “That’s what they all say, but they keep getting worse and worse.”
Another woman was overheard telling her preacher after a worship service, “Preacher, I’m so deaf that I hardly heard a word you preached this morning, but I keep coming to get my spiritual plate full.” Hoping to console her, the preacher said, “well, maybe you haven’t missed much.” She immediately replied, “Yes, that’s what they all tell me.”
Along with the above sage advice my grandmother gave me, the phrase, “think before you speak” is another good piece of sage advice as well (Proverbs 15:28 NIV).
Let’s think about it!