By Kaka Lucas, 30/5/2021

CHAT TOO MUCH

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If we talk too much, in Jamaica they will tell you “you chat too much”. On the other hand sometimes I prefer not to say anything because I have the fear that I may end up saying something I shouldn’t say and that can lead to offense or anger especially when I am in a set with people I do not know their personalities. But heeey! That does not hold me from socializing

My last blog on “Its healthy to laugh” was written when I visited the Mustard seed community, Saint Andrew formation house and here I am writing another one with a similar topic. While visiting this house, better be careful with the words you use while chatting because the same words may be used against you. 

So today I told father G how someone considered him a ‘mother hen’ for the care he takes for that person…. Just before lunch was done, father P was talking about covid19 vaccination and father G ask if it was okay to be given the second short any hand….here what father P answered…” It can go to any hand but for you, they will have to give it to one of your wings”. Boom! And the boom was dropped there and then. 

I am an introvert, easy to mingle with people, though at the same time, ‘fire to warm up yourself from a distance’. Sometimes I chat too much, I end up saying things I shouldn’t say and someone gets offended or upset in the process, or I end up saying something I should have kept it for myself. So for that reason, I am talking to God about my mouth and I’m starting to learn to keep quiet, talk less and listen more, especially for the next six months I will be taken to a ‘slave camp’. 
I know it will not be easy especially as I’m someone who likes to talk a lot…there are good days and bad days, but I’m definitely going to get there.

The letter of Saint James chapter 3 reminds us that our tongue can do great damage.
It can set a house on fire! Fire! Real fire.!

Those who may have experience in the farm can attest to what I am about to say…… When we put bits into the mouths of horses or a cow to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal in any direction we want. 
Or take ships as an example.
Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts, it can control the whole of you. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark, just one spark, and while pack burns down.
The tongue also is a fire, real fire a world of evil among the parts of the body.
It corrupts the whole body, controls the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, real fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.James 3:3-6

No wonder David prayed in Psalm 141 for God to take control of what he says and put a watch over His mouth.
“Take control of what I say, O Lord, and guard my lips.
Don’t let me drift toward evil or take part in acts of wickedness.
Don’t let me share in the delicacies of those who do wrong”.
Psalms 141: 3-4
I think we ought to make this psalm our prayer every day.