My grandfather, Lee Fillers, was a slim, dark skinned Cherokee Indian with waving black hair. He loved nature and respected every living thing. He was one of the kindest people I have ever met. He was quiet and reserved, but when he spoke, it was full of wisdom. One of the quotes I remember him saying often was, “if you don’t have something good to say about someone, then don’t say anything at all.” He lived this principle his entire life. I never remember him saying an unkind word about anyone. I have a quiet friend who reminds me of my grandfather’s nature, his name is Phil. Phil once told me, “sometimes the best response, is no response.” The words of these two men have stuck with me through the years. I am not quiet and reserved, so things like this have to become a choice for me. They are not part of my nature or temperament, nevertheless, I believe both statements are full of great wisdom. So I offer this Psalm for those like me who process out loud.
“Post a guard at my mouth, God,
set a watch at the door of my lips.
Don’t let me so much as dream of evil
or thoughtlessly fall into bad company.
And these people who only do wrong—
don’t let them lure me with their sweet talk!
May the Just One set me straight,
may the Kind One correct me,
Don’t let sin anoint my head.” (Psalm 141:3-4 MSG)
