Cindy Sproles says, "The world tries to
quiet us. It slaps us in the mouth and tells
us to shut up. Now, more than ever, is the time to open our mouth."
"She lifted her hand and popped the child in the mouth.
'Shut up. Not another word.'
I was shocked when this woman smacked her daughter while waiting in line at Disneyworld. Of all places…Disneyworld.
It was a hot day and the Florida humidity raged as we stood under the shaded canopies lining the entrance of the amusement ride.
What surprised me most? This child was simply chatting about the ride…a bit incessantly but harmless. She was a wealth of information on Walt Disney and the park but in an instant, her mother stopped her.
I felt terrible for this little girl. Her excitement just bubbled. She pressed her hand over her mouth to suppress her words while her little body bobbed up and down and twisted as she tried to keep quiet.
Before I knew it, she tugged at my shirt. 'Did you know Walt Disney drew Steamboat Willy?'
She whispered so her mother couldn't hear. 'And did you know they have hidden Mickey Mouse silhouettes all over the park in stuff like wallpaper, sidewalks, and even in the trees?'
I whispered back. 'Really? Wow. I’ll start to look for them.'
She smiled and covered her lips with her finger. 'Shhhhhh.'
When we’re filled with joy and excitement, it’s hard to be silent. Our words are hard pressed when our experiences are wonderful. It’s our nature to share the moment.
Paul was shushed too. but in a vision God told him not to be afraid. “Keep on speaking…” He said, “I am with you…” So Paul did.
His love and excitement for the word of God burned deep in his heart and it had to be told. Paul couldn't squelch his words even if it meant getting smacked.
Our radio host recently interviewed former Redsox player Trot Nixon. In the interview, Trot talked about those who 'continued to talk' to him and their influence in his decision to accept Christ. They kept talking and Trot heard.
God has given us an amazing gift – His Son. With Christ came salvation, grace, and mercy, something that, like Paul, should make us burn with excitement.
The gifts we've received are worthy to be shared over and over. Still, the world tries to quiet us. It slaps us in the mouth and tells us to shut up.
It was a hot day and the Florida humidity raged as we stood under the shaded canopies lining the entrance of the amusement ride.
What surprised me most? This child was simply chatting about the ride…a bit incessantly but harmless. She was a wealth of information on Walt Disney and the park but in an instant, her mother stopped her.
I felt terrible for this little girl. Her excitement just bubbled. She pressed her hand over her mouth to suppress her words while her little body bobbed up and down and twisted as she tried to keep quiet.
Before I knew it, she tugged at my shirt. 'Did you know Walt Disney drew Steamboat Willy?'
She whispered so her mother couldn't hear. 'And did you know they have hidden Mickey Mouse silhouettes all over the park in stuff like wallpaper, sidewalks, and even in the trees?'
I whispered back. 'Really? Wow. I’ll start to look for them.'
She smiled and covered her lips with her finger. 'Shhhhhh.'
When we’re filled with joy and excitement, it’s hard to be silent. Our words are hard pressed when our experiences are wonderful. It’s our nature to share the moment.
Paul was shushed too. but in a vision God told him not to be afraid. “Keep on speaking…” He said, “I am with you…” So Paul did.
His love and excitement for the word of God burned deep in his heart and it had to be told. Paul couldn't squelch his words even if it meant getting smacked.
Our radio host recently interviewed former Redsox player Trot Nixon. In the interview, Trot talked about those who 'continued to talk' to him and their influence in his decision to accept Christ. They kept talking and Trot heard.
God has given us an amazing gift – His Son. With Christ came salvation, grace, and mercy, something that, like Paul, should make us burn with excitement.
The gifts we've received are worthy to be shared over and over. Still, the world tries to quiet us. It slaps us in the mouth and tells us to shut up.
Now, more than ever, is the time to open our mouth. The question is, are you afraid to keep speaking?
Don’t be afraid to share the Word. Speak despite the world and God will use your words to His glory."
"…keep on speaking..." Acts 18:9 NIV
Read Cindy’s devotions
Eddie Jones and Cindy Sproles are friends and cofounders of ChristianDevotions.us.
They cowrite the popular He Said, She Said devotions and host Blog Talk Radio’s Christian Devotions SPEAK UP! along with Scott McCausey.
Eddie and Cindy travel and speak at conferences across the country and they are available to speak at your church or conference.
Contact them at cindy@christiandevotions.us
Speak Despite – She Said
Posted on July 13, 2012 by Senior Editor Cindy Sproles on www.ChristianDevotions.us
Do you sense something vital missing from you relationship with your spouse, children, and God?
Try He Said, She Said: A Devotional Guide to Cultivating a Life of Passion.
This compilation of 54 devotions includes scripture verses, space for journaling, individual prayers and words of wisdom from two of today’s funniest and insightful Christian authors.
This heart-warming collection of stories will inspire you to reach for the true source of joy: a life lived for and through God. These deeply personal devotions offer biblical insights and spiritual truths from the perspective of one man and one woman.
Used by permission www.ChristianDevotions.us
Today’s treasure truth #18: If you are “born again”, you are an heir of God and a joint heir w/ Jesus. Rom. 8:17
Our thought today: Tribulation builds character like nothing else will.
Tomorrow's post: God's Timing, God's Terms, God's Method: Prayer Note #62 Dutch Sheets
No comments:
Post a Comment