I keep threatening to get a T shirt. One that has writing on it. You know how you come across something funny, profound, outrageous, even better if all three? You think you'd like to wear it, advertise your support for the sentiment, tell the world your wisdom, share your coolness with an uncool world.
I once promised a young friend I'd get a disgustingly green T shirt and have a picture of brussel sprouts printed on it with the strap line, in West of Scotland dialect if not accent, "Brussel Sprouts iz mingin". I still like the idea of that – what a T shirt to wear in the garden, or a Christmas party…..
And now and again, not often, just occasionally, I think a Bible verse seems just made for T shirt exegesis. A good image, and a few memorable words. So. Maybe a T shirt to be worn when preaching on the Letter of James. The verse in question, James 1.19, three imperatives, three dispositions towards peace, three wise cautions: "quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger." In case you didn't get it
quick to listen
slow to speak
slow to anger.
Think of the most recent argument with your most significant other; revisit the latest cause of your being annoyed, hurt, offended or just plain put out; consider the usual triggers for your critically edged words or dismissive smirk, or way too inflated opinion of your viewpoint; or reflect on people you know you have hurt, offended, annoyed, whose day you have wasted; or, put positively, imagine a committee meeting where these were the standing orders – less said, more heard, and what is said is worth the hearing….by folk who are listening. These are not the big deal occasions of our lives, they are the day and daily outcomes and consequences of our words.
James suggests three deep breaths, pause points before we speak. He creates a mnemonic braking system for our juggernaut egos. If you have to respond immediately to what someone says or does, the be quick – to listen! Because words are like toothpaste, and can't be squeezed backwards into the tube, be slow to speak. And because what we think and fell colour what we say, listening and slowness of speech give time for anger to dissipate before words give it permanence.
So. A T shirt. Three phrases. But would I be entitled to wear it without those who know me best laughing most? Could I live this just for a day? I have had a customer complaint about the absence of Smudge from the blog – here she is, depicting existential nonchalance 🙂
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