Unmasking My Heart
"Help me, Lord, to keep my mouth shut and my lips sealed." Psalms 141:3
We've experienced a great deal of change in the last six months, haven't we?
Pandemics, politics, and policemen have dominated propaganda outlets--even shutting down many churches. Tragic.
On the softer side, governments in many states have succeeded in forcing us to wear coverings over our faces in public places. It's for our protection. Just a few years ago, after 9/11, we disallowed the wearing of face coverings. That was for our protection, too.
I'll admit it. If I had my druthers, I'd rather not wear a face diaper.
They're stuffy and hot, and I often have my hands full when I need to put one on. There's also the lipstick thing. If I don't wear lipstick, people will wonder where half of my face went when I remove the mask. But when I do wear it and take off the mask, I find my lipstick all over the inside. I think I'm good until some kind soul tells me I have lipstick on my eyelids. And ears. And cheeks. And teeth. And nose. You get the picture. Not sure how that happens.
We've experienced a great deal of change in the last six months, haven't we?
Pandemics, politics, and policemen have dominated propaganda outlets--even shutting down many churches. Tragic.
On the softer side, governments in many states have succeeded in forcing us to wear coverings over our faces in public places. It's for our protection. Just a few years ago, after 9/11, we disallowed the wearing of face coverings. That was for our protection, too.
I'll admit it. If I had my druthers, I'd rather not wear a face diaper.
They're stuffy and hot, and I often have my hands full when I need to put one on. There's also the lipstick thing. If I don't wear lipstick, people will wonder where half of my face went when I remove the mask. But when I do wear it and take off the mask, I find my lipstick all over the inside. I think I'm good until some kind soul tells me I have lipstick on my eyelids. And ears. And cheeks. And teeth. And nose. You get the picture. Not sure how that happens.
Then, there's breathing your own lovely breath 24/7. Let's just say I have a whole new appreciation for everyone I've ever spoken to at close range.
Change me dots would be nice, too.
Change me dots would be nice, too.
And, we mustn't forget the fashion aspect. Somehow my purple polka dots don't go with my brown flowered dress. So, I bought some of those boho bandeau things to try and look cute and stylish. I figured I'd just put them around my neck when I get dressed in the morning, all matchy-matchy, and voila! Done! Brilliant. But, they kept falling off my nose because my head's not big enough (no comments, please).
So, now I'm back to wearing the lovely lavender with white polka dots and I've come to see the positive side of this mandate.
For one thing, those hair-trigger ready facial responses are less dangerous and limited to the eyes. I've never had a good face for poker.
For another, I'm definitely using more mouthwash.
Most important of all, it has allowed me to consider my words more carefully to build up, to love, to encourage, to be tender and kind, to praise, to share Jesus. It causes me to be more intentional. With. Every. Word.
Since my speech is a reflection of my heart's condition (Luke 6:45), I've found the masking of both to be a merciful part of God's refining process, a humbling, an opportunity for further filtering--not just of my mouth--but of the source of each careless word, my heart.
Since my speech is a reflection of my heart's condition (Luke 6:45), I've found the masking of both to be a merciful part of God's refining process, a humbling, an opportunity for further filtering--not just of my mouth--but of the source of each careless word, my heart.
Psalms 51:14-15 tells us, "Don’t sentence me to death. O my God, you alone can rescue me. Then I will sing of your forgiveness, for my lips will be unsealed—oh, how I will praise you."
Oh, that our lips would be filled with His praise when they are unsealed and these masks finally removed.
He brings joy--in every detail of life--even as He refines me.
Goodnight, Runners.
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