On The Line

Read Ephesians 5:1-8

“Did you see the pants Reese wore today?” asked Brynn, holding the phone close to her mouth. “He looked like a real geek.”

“His whole family is geeky,” replied Danielle. The girls giggled. “What about Lynn—that new girl?” continued Danielle. “Did you notice that when she laughs she snorts like a pig?”

“Gross,” Brynn said with a laugh. “Maybe she grew up on a pig farm.” Just then the phone made a rasping sound. “What’s that?” Brynn asked.

“Oh, pardon me, girls.” Brynn’s mom’s voice interrupted them. “I was going to make a call from the den and didn’t realize you girls were using the phone. I’ll wait till you’re finished.” Brynn heard the click as Mom hung up.

“What were we saying?” asked Danielle.

“I don’t know, but I just thought of something,” gasped Brynn. “What if my mom heard us talking about Reese and Lynn? What if she heard the mean things we said?”

“She didn’t,” said Danielle confidently. “We would’ve known it.”

“Yeah. Well, I better go anyway,” replied Brynn.

“Mom, we’re off the phone,” Brynn told her mother after they had hung up. She hesitated. “Did you hear what we were saying when you picked up the phone?”

“I know your conversations are private,” replied Mom.

“But did you hear the things we were saying?” repeated Brynn. “I mean, if I knew you were listening, I wouldn’t have said some things.”

Mom raised her eyebrows. “I didn’t hear you,” she said, “but does the fact that you’re worried about it mean you were saying things that shouldn’t be said? Even though I don’t hear, every time you’re on the phone the Lord is on the line with you.”

How about you?

Do you say things that you would be embarrassed for other people to hear? Remember that the Lord hears every word that comes out of your mouth. He even knows your words while they are still only thoughts. Be careful what you say.

Memorize:

“Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful.” Ephesians 4:29