Have you ever had your lips zipped?

You will have to indulge me with another grandbaby story. I'm sorry but I can't help myself.

My oldest daughter, Megan, and her husband had decided to do Christmas a little different this year. They incorporated the biblical feasts in their celebration time and didn't actually use the word "Christmas" too much. They are trying to get their children to see the real reason for the celebration without the focus being on the tree and all the decorations etc. They also don't do Santa. Mikaela (6) is a little too smart for her age and picks up on so much more than we realize. She is quick to tell you all about what's wrong with "Christmas".We've had to explain to her that sometimes you just don't need to say anything because everyone has their own opinions on things and that Christmas isn't bad, it's what we have made it that is bad.

A few weeks ago, before Christmas, they were at our church and during Sunday School she and Eli (3) were in the same class. The teacher said that she asked the class the question, "What does Christmas mean to you?" and she was going to go around and ask each child their answer. Well, she got to my precious little Mikaela and the teacher said that Mikaela looked up at her and closed her little mouth and then ran her fingers across her lips and zipped them shut. (I'm guessing our little talk was going through her head...) So then it was Eli's turn and the teacher said when she posed the question to him Mikaela just quietly leaned over and zipped his little lips shut too! She was making sure that he didn't say too much also. They funny thing is that he just sat there with his lips shut..

I thought about this as I was getting ready for work today. I wondered how many times the Lord wished He could just reach down from heaven and zip MY lips shut... Probably more than I would like to imagine. There have been so many times that I have said things unintentionally and then later thought, "Beth, why did you say that?"

Lord, help me to think before I speak and to pray before I think! Help me to keep a guard on my mouth so that You don't have to zip it shut for me. May I speak truth and love. May I edify and glorify.

"Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength and my redeemer." (Psalm 19:14)

Seeking Him,

Beth