I hope you’ve never done this, and I hope I never do it again.
Here’s what’s happened. I was minding my own business when I received an email with a change of address, etc., from a man I have known since he was a teenager years ago. Just recently, he encouraged his wife to stop by my office for a visit. She is sweet, charming, and vivacious and I wanted him to know it. The only problem was I was not quite sure about her name.
This is what I did. Isn’t email quick and simple? Since I wanted to make sure of the name (BTW, I’m thrilled I had it right), I forwarded his email to my assistant with this question: “Lucy, could you help me with his wife’s name–_____?” No problem with that, right? Wrong! I sent it to him, not to Lucy.
Oops!
Within 5 minutes, he had emailed me back saying, “Yes, Waylon, it’s _____.”
This is how I handled it in my return email to him. “Well, I should have asked you first–she’s charming. I appreciate your encouraging her to stop by. Well, that’s all I wanted to say. Look forward to seeing you both again–waylon.”
I’m sure they are still laughing and will probably be telling the story for years.
Here are three lessons you might want to learn from my mistake.
First, be a little more careful–check twice before you hit send.
Second, remember whatever you put in writing–in any medium, but particularly on the internet–is open to all.
Third, and this is what I really want to say, make your ‘yes, yes and your no, no.” Those are the words of Jesus, of course. He used that phrase to call on people to be truthful in all situations. On the internet–and in all of life–we need to be people who treat people with love, kindness, and consideration both to their face and behind their back.
Jesus also said whatever is inside you will eventually come out. If we want to please God, we must make sure we are right on the inside. That’s where our repentance and submission to God make all the difference. When we deal correctly with our inner man, the public man will be just fine. But when we are devious in private, that will eventually be known to all.
My friend was very gracious. For that, I am very grateful.
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7 Responses
So, are you saying: Provide things honest in the sight of all men, Romans 12:17. But, be careful what they see?
Lucy must have a book full of stories. 😉
May each who write, do so with the intent of helping others draw closer to Thee Lord. AMEN.
Your message in this mornings blog reminded me of the fact of how God knows the heart of man and how your outward behavior means nothing if it doesn’t match your inward behavior and beliefs. Of course I wanted to find the verse in the bible where I had read this and I turned to your recommended resource Bible Gateway. I found not one but five verses (old and new testament) where God reminds us of this. It then reminded me about how you have said if God saw the need to repeat something more than once then it must have been pretty important. As if to say, “Hey, listen to this and remember it because it’s important.” You can’t live a double life or standard. However good you are are hiding it doesn’t matter. God knows, and that’s the important part. I do care about what God knows knows about me. Thanks Pastor.
Are you finding Bible Gateway helpful?
I once heard someone say there should be a think about it button on cell phones that needs to be pressed before the send button is activated for a text; I guess that could work for emails also.
Have a great day
I appreciate your willingness to be transparent. Your point comes across loud and clear. Just a few days ago I had to say no to a request from a church friend. As I discussed the decision with my husband and relayed what I planned to say, he stopped me and said, “Why do you feel the need to explain it?” There was only one reason: PRIDE. I worried what the other person would think of me. We all need to keep our hearts open to the Lord for offensive ways to be revealed.
Great Comment Bob!
Indeed its had to look into our life and realise the bad part of it its GOD who sees these and for sure my life has been troubled for along time living in spell that could not let me be free and serve my Lord the way i wish i try very much to bring it for ward so that what i care in life is the encaurigment words from your ministry and your prayer as we speak the soul that is troubled can’t do much some time i ask my self if GOD is there why do these things happen to me for the past two years i fill i lose life every single day but i hope the living Lord will take control .