When Ben Grocock was 3 years old, his parents were informed he needed a tonsil operation. The news terrified Ben to the point that he told his parents--quite adamantly--that if the operation took place, he would never speak again. Chalking it up to the "terrible 3s" and the rantings of a tantrum-throwing toddler, his parents went ahead with the operation. Once Ben came out of surgery, however, he did just as he promised. For the next decade, he only spoke with his brother--and only when the two were alone. The only other time he spoke to someone else was six years later out of necessity: he fell off his bike and exclaimed, "Ouch, that hurt!" in the presence of his mom. Aside from that, he would communicate even in the classroom via notes and hand signals. Ten years and a "confidence building course" later, the now-13-year-old who proclaimed to his parents at the age of 3 he would never speak again, is talking to everyone. If you'd like to read the full story, go here.
Taking a vow of silence is a common practice among certain religious groups. Even some celebrities of late have gotten into the act (e.g., Ellen Degeneres). A vow of silence can mean a complete abstaining from speech or it could be defined by abstaining from certain types of speech. The latter is often the more common of the two. The aim in taking a vow of silence is often to abstain from speech that is not positive and/or meaningful--such as idle talk, gossip, etc.
But really, how amazing is it for such a young child to determine to take a vow of silence--irrespective of the reason or the circumstance? Most of us couldn't make it through a day, a week--let alone 10 years without talking! Sometimes, it takes every ounce of self-restraint we can muster to not spill the latest and juiciest news about mutual friends to someone else. Did you know that every best friend you have--unless you both live in a bubble--that you confide in has someone else that they confide in (ever heard of "those who gossip to you will gossip of you"? It's a two-way street!)? So, although you might swear them to secrecy, they have someone else they know they have sworn to secrecy who tells somebody else that swears to secrecy that tells somebody, that tells somebody...pretty soon, the "big secret" makes its way back to the "protagonist" of the rumor or story.
What is one to do when confronted with the urge to "tell it like it is," or "unburden oneself" or "vent"? Bite your tongue, hang up the phone or tell yourself to "shut up" out loud if you have to! Whatever it takes! And no, it won't happen overnight. Remember, the tongue--according to James 3:8, "can no man tame." But, thank GOD that it can be controlled.
So here's to learning a lesson in the art of "Shhhh!" from an innocent 3-year-old boy who didn't comprehend the impact and power of saying a whole lot without saying a word--and to restraining the most powerful yet tiny member in our temple.
~My Anointed QuillTM~
Brought to you by James 3:2--"For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able to bridle the whole body."
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