Scripture
Everyone enjoys giving good advice, and how wonderful is it to be able to say the right thing at the right time.
~Proverbs 15:23, TLB
Quote
The people who are wise enough to give good advice are usually wise enough to keep their mouth shut.
~Andrew Philpot
When I read today’s verse, I turned green with envy. I possess the opposite gift. I’m like Peter, I have the ability to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. I don’t work at it–its a gift. I have embarrassed myself more times than I care to remember. I attended a county school for the first nine years. I played football and basket ball from the 7th grade but at Johnson Jr. High, we did’t have a bus and you got to the game the best way you could. Since my folks never attended the games, I usually hitched a ride from one of the neighbors but never in my life had I rode a team bus to a game. At Athens High that changed. The first time I got on the bus to go to a game, I tried to fire the troops up with an arousing speech. I got shouted down in a hurry. No talking before the game! How was I to know that stupid rule. But that embarrassment and many more like it have not deterred me from exercising my gift.
A big shot preacher introduced me to a retired general who lead the Delta Force [an army special opts team]. I asked him if he knew Chuck Norris. Everyone in the group looked at me like I was stupid. I have given it a lot of thought these past few days; if I’ve ever said the right thing at the right time it is not coming to my memory. If you remember such a time; I would appreciate you reminding me. I expect to hear from Willard or Jason soon! NOT! But I would like to give the right advice at the right time. I certainly covet the gift.
I promised I would tell you about my white suit. I got it in Huntsville at the Burlington Suit Factory which is where all the black preachers get their suits. They have them in solid red, purple, yellow, orange, green…you name it. They bought me a solid red one a few years ago but I didn’t like it: it made me look like a pimp but the white all cotton suit was my favorite and as I do with all favorites, I wore it all the time. Big Mama hated that suit. Willard said I looked like Tattoo on Fantasy Island, others called me Don Johnson. That was sticks and stones to me. I couldn’t have cared less what they called me. I loved the suit and I wore it every time I got the chance. I got more compliments from that suit than any I ever owned. Needless to say, Big Mama hated the suit and wanted it destroyed. Finally, she talked the dry cleaners into putting a black ink pen in with my suit and it ruined it. She was thrilled and I was heart broken. I pitched such a fit that she finally got me another one but it was not the same and I didn’t like it. She swears up and down that she had nothing to do with the original getting damaged but there was something fishy. If they had ruined a dress of hers, she would have gotten compensation but when they ruined my suit, she gave them a tip.
The LORD answers prayer and trust me, I thanked him and gave Him praise. I hadn’t pulled any concrete in 15 years and although it was only 3 1/2 yards, I was thrilled when the job was finished. I hope to get to sit in my little building and read all day today. Big L had a game last night and it was cold. They won 17-0 in four innings. I hope there are no games on tap for tonight.