The Minimizer
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin Articles
The above titled poem comes from Nancy Eichman’s book entitled, “Seasoning Your Words,” Gospel Advocate (1977); pp. 38-39, illustrating the fact that successfully managing the words that come out of our mouth is of utmost importance (Matthew 12:34-37; cf. Psalm 39:1; Proverbs 13:3; Proverbs 21:23).
He rode into town that day,
Acting as if he were going to stay.
With silver spurs and 10-gallon hat,
Upon a proud horse he sat.
He swaggered down from his horse
And said, “Howdy,” of course,
But then he got analytical,
And his words turned mighty critical.
“Why don’t you ever paint your sign?
The lettering was sure out of line.
Can’t you dress up the town a bit?
Looks pretty bad from where I sit!”
This cowboy liked to cut things down;
He minimized folks all over town.
It wasn’t with his gun he killed;
His mouth — that’s where he was skilled.
He criticized the barber’s cut.
In the road he saw every rut.
Aunt Mertie’s dumplings he denounced.
The mayor’s politics he trounced.
The saloon doors were much too squeaky,
And the floor was way too creaky.
The bank’s rates were much too high.
He made plain Jane Stenson cry.
The townspeople endured this critical stuff.
They suffered ‘till they’d had enough.
They formed a posse late one night
And rode the “Minimizer” out of sight.
It’s not how tall in the saddle he sat,
How his spurs jingled, how he cocked his hat,
Nor how famous he was from North to South;
No, it mattered how he managed his mouth!
Brethren and friends, no matter if we’re the critic or among those who are criticized, may our words always be seasoned with salt and tempered with love (Colossians 4:6; cf. Ecclesiastes 10:12-14).
Let’s think about it!
Related Articles:
- The Gift Of Criticism?
- Dealing With Criticism
- Correctly Handling Criticism
- If You Haven’t Got Anything Good To Say….
- The Ostrich – Not as Stupid as Her Critics