learning to keep silent... and tread lightly with words...

Too many times lately... my words... have stopped conversation... or triggered a defensive retort...

Too many times... I speak... when silence is required... a question better than a statement...

Learning to discern where people are... is more important... than sharing what you know... or have learned...

Lacking good role models for conversation... I find myself at a loss...
Lectures loomed large in my growing up... little room for conversing...
There was doing... and instructing... but not much heart to heart...

So now... I desire to keep communication flowing... dam up my own wayward words...

I see... too late... in retrospect... within moments of speaking... what would have been better...

This recognition of better... it's improvement... growth...  but I long to do better in the moment... not just recognize a moment missed...

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;

Keep watch over the door of my lips.

Psalm 143:3 KJV

Thank You Lord... for opening ears and eyes to a better way... guard my mouth... teach me when to keep silent... and when to tread lightly...

a fill in the blank...

A new treadmill read...

Can you guess... what about... by filling in the blanks... from this excerpt...?

There is a word that comes to my mind when I think about our __________ and our people. That word is "love." I love ___________ because everything we've tried to do is steeped in ___________.
Respect and dignity.
Passion and laughter.
Compassion, community, and responsibility.
Authenticity.
These are ___________ touchstones, the source of our pride.

What does it sound like to you...?

 Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together with the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate?

Philippians 2:1 NLT

[Note: It's not a single word you are looking for...]