I recently watched a YouTube video which I found both funny and disconcerting. The setting was an 8-foot tall paper Mache snowman on a busy city sidewalk. Inside the snowman was a live person. As people passed by the snowman would move unexpectedly.  It was the element of surprise and reaction of each individual that made the video so funny.

The disconcerting part was the immediate verbal responses of selected individuals. As I watched this 3:48 minute video I couldn’t help but note the following responses by those caught off guard.

• ·         What the F@#*!
• ·         Jesus (not in a devotional way)
• ·         Jesus Christ (not in a devotional way)
• ·         SH*T!
• ·         F*$%king God (obviously, not in a devotional way)
• ·         Indiscernible profanity that was bleeped out

As the video ended, I was reminded of the following scripture.

“…For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.” (Luke 6:45)

I would like to believe my first word response, in any situation, would be acceptable to God. But would it?

My life in Christ is a work-in-progress and my responses to the unexpected are continually being edited and reviewed by God. I can only aspire to

 “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.” (Psalms 19:14)

If you were to experience an unexpected moment in life, a moment that caught you off-guard, how would you respond? Would your words be acceptable to God? What would be the immediate, unprompted response that poured from your heart?

If my words are not appropriate for my five, seven and ten year old grandkids to hear, chances are they aren’t acceptable to God.

Today’s prayer:

Heavenly Father, I ask that you create within me a clean and pure heart.  Fill all my spoken words with grace so I may inspire, encourage and uplift those around me.

Amen