My Tongue Is Bleeding

 
 
 



That's what I say when I want to respond to someones ridiculous statement or claims, but stop myself from speaking. I bite my tongue to avoid something I might say that is hurtful or embarrassing.
 
This past Ash Wednesday after Mass, I dropped my car off at the Chevy dealer for some repair work. The gentleman that was writing down the unusual noise my car was making was cheerful and very kind. While speaking to him, I immediately noticed his left ear. As the sun was partially shining on his earlobe, I noticed a hole in it the size of an m & m. Plain. Not peanut. I could see through the hole in his earlobe almost to the other side of the parking lot. I instantly started thinking all kinds of thoughts as to why he didn't have the gauge in his ear that created the little open window.
 
In case you don't know, Gauging is a form of slowly stretching the earlobe to create a hole so one can wear bigger jewelry.
 
Questions ran through my mind.
 


Did he forget the gauge?




Did he realize that having a big hole in his ear was not something he wanted after all now that he is older?




Or Did he accomplish his goal with the gauge that created the hole so he could  sport the little porthole to the world just as it is?




I of course held my tongue and did not mention anything.
 
While I was answering his questions about my car, I noticed he was a little nervous while writing. He darted his eyes away from me each time we made eye contact.
 
Actually it was more like "forehead contact" for him.
 
Just as I finished signing the work order, he couldn't stand it anymore and politely pointed to my forehead. "You, You have something black on your forehead," he said. Oh yes, I know, I immediately responded. It's ash Wednesday. They are ashes. Embarrassed, he apologized and said that he felt like he just put his foot in his mouth. I reassured him not to worry and be prepared for more customers that might have ashes on their forehead. If my humor hat was on, I would have said to him, you are actually on your way to being holy, especially by the looks of your ear! But… I bit my tongue.


 
Okay I couldn't resist.
 
I used to be embarrassed to have ashes on my head when I was younger, but now they are proudly worn as a sign of the beginning of a journey. A journey that will last 40 days and like Jesus, I am called and reminded to depend on God for my strength. Through fasting, prayer and alms giving. These practices trigger thoughts of what my priorities should be. Being unselfish, forgiving, humble and open to the holy spirit. A time to come closer the Lord.


 
Below is a biblical account from James on the Power of the Tongue.

 

James, Chapter 3

Power of the Tongue *Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you realize that we will be judged more strictly,for we all fall short in many respects. If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also. If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide their whole bodies. It is the same with ships: even though they are so large and driven by fierce winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot's inclination wishes. In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions.

Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze. The tongue is also a fire. It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna. For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God. From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so, my brothers. Does a spring gush forth from the same opening both pure and brackish water? Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can salt water yield fresh.

 

Book News

 

This weekend I will be joining a book study group who have been reading my book and then meeting to discuss it once a month. Twelve people share and discuss some of the questions found after each chapter. One of the questions that might be asked is: How did your first love affect your future relationships with the opposite sex? Did you re set boundaries?
My speech for the women's breakfast is just about finished. I will be speaking at Holy Cross Catholic Church on March 3, 2012 after the Saturday morning Mass. Tickets are $5.00 and include breakfast. I will speak about my faith journey through triumph and trial and incorporate a verse from Proverbs. I have never spoke to a large group before so am a little nervous. Okay, I am a lot nervous. Nothing that a little prayer from friends can't fix, so I ask you to pray that God will use my tongue for his glory during my talk.
Many people are signing up through Goodreads to win a copy of Meet Me In The Mountains. Three winners will be chosen. If you have read my book, please post a comment about it on your facebook page or on amazon.com