A Smoldering Match

The tongue is a small part of the body but it can do a great deal of damage. Have you ever considered how one careless word can destroy a relationship that may have taken years to build?

I couldn’t help thinking about this the other day when I went outside to burn the trash. The burn box was full, so I grabbed the trash and my matches and headed to the corner of the property for our burn barrel.

I loaded the old metal drum with the paper, cereal boxes, old magazines, and junk mail. As usual there was a slight breeze, so every time I lit a match it would start a small fire but then quickly die out as the wind extinguished the flame.

After about fifteen matches I got frustrated and went back into the house figuring I would try it again at another time when the air was still. A few minutes later I looked out the window and flames were spewing from the top of the barrel. Unbeknownst to me one or more of the matches had begun to smolder against the paper. In a short time the fire had spread to the rest of the trash and burnt the whole pile to ashes.

Often we use our words like matches. We say insensitive things to others and figure they will do no harm. But without our knowledge the result of a flaming tongue can be a small smoldering of hurt and anger that over time can erupt into huge flames of bitterness. I have heard it said that it takes approximately five positive comments to undo one negative comment. Now that’s a huge fire to put out!

The best option is to guard our tongues carefully. Think before you speak because you never know what destruction a smoldering match can cause.

Love,

Mama