Saved by Words

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Have you been described as a person of many words?
On October 14, 1912, the life of outspoken and energetic presidential candidate, Theodore Roosevelt was saved by his many words.
Roosevelt had just served one term as president, and was reapplying for the job. As he left his hotel in Milwaukee on that day, he stuffed his thick, wordy campaign speech in his breast pocket. He was soon confronted by a gun-toting bartender. The angry assailant fired at Teddy, hoping that Roosevelt would suffer the same fate as his predecessor, President McKinley. The bullet did crack one of Roosevelt’s ribs, but the thickness of his speech probably saved him from death.
While many words were life-saving in this one incident, generally the more words you spit out, the more trouble you bring to yourself. Jean Paul Sartre once said, “Words are loaded pistols.” And, your Creator dispensed this sage perspective: “When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise” (Prov. 10:19 niv). Words—choose them carefully. And make sure you err on the side of saying too little than too much. Your life might be at stake.
Remember: An “absent” word shows prudent “presence.”
Reflections

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