This week, I continue to focus on point #1 of the 10 Things I Quit That Have Made a Huge Difference in My Life.
- I quit trying to change people and accepted it was me that needed to change.
As some of you may know, I like to fish … okay, I love to fish! I fish competitively and many of my friends know it. So when a missionary from Chile came into Northern Virginia that loved to fish, I received a call asking me if I would take him fishing on the Potomac River. If you love fishing, you know that any reason to go fishing is a good reason to go fishing! But I had no idea what I was about to learn.
The Powerful Tongue
I picked the missionary up in the early morning hours and we were heading down the Dulles Toll Road toward Tysons Corner. We had had some conversation to this point, but it had been quiet for at least a few minutes.
Out of the blue, he looked at me, pointed and said, “How long do you think it took to build that building?” He was pointing at a very large commercial building that was (I’m guessing) about 20 stories high. I looked at him and said, “I’m really not sure how long it takes to build a building like that.”
He said, “Well, what do you think?” I said, “Maybe three years?” Then he said, “Okay, how long would it take to tear it down if it was wired with dynamite?”
I remember thinking, “Who am I taking fishing?” But I answered him and said, “I don’t know for sure but I’m guessing seconds. If it was wired with dynamite, it’s the flip of a switch.”
Then he stuck his tongue out, pointed at it and said, “That’s exactly what this does. What takes years to build can be destroyed in seconds.”
WOW! I realized that my tongue was as powerful as dynamite. It could (and did) destroy many relationships that took years to build. Last week’s lesson, to pause, ponder and pray,” combined with this message continues to help me control my tongue.
Looking Ahead
I hope you will consider visiting again next week when I share how my cell phone helped me show (not tell) my wife, family members and other people in my life that they are important to me. It’s a simple but powerful tool!
Go out and make it a change week!
