Note to Self

Note to self: do not say or do anything stupid today.

"Stupid" is a censored word in our household. In the world of five-year-olds, "stupid" is not a nice word. Hannah reminds me of that if I happen to forget and blurt it out. But, since this is just a note to myself, I can go ahead and say it.

Our church has embarked upon a 21 day fast. When praying about what to give up, I decided that cutting out all television would probably make the most significant impact on my prayer life. While not a particularly avid watcher of most shows, my number one weakness is the news. I confess I am a news junkie. There is probably a 12-step program for that, but going cold turkey with a prayer fast should sustain me.

And, truth be known, now is a great time to take a break. After 21 days, the daily coverage is likely to continue to be health care and the fact that Democrats and Republicans do not play well together. So, how much could I miss? Since being current on the news is actually a part of my job, I continue to listen to the radio and read newspaper accounts of what the reporters consider significant in the world. And, that is why the note to self today.

Senator Harry Reid made an ill-advised (that's the politically correct version of "stupid") statement about President Obama during the campaign that has just become public due to release of a book. There is a huge public outcry, not because of what he said, but because of the way the media and political left is treating him compared to the time that Senator Trent Lott made a similar ill-advised comment.

There is an obvious double standard. Why is that news? The number one life lesson I attempt to impart to my children and all the young people I mentor is that life is not fair, and some people are stupid. Once again, the media makes my point for me.

While impartation of that principle is to explain about 4/5th of everything you read in the news, it can also serve as a caution in our own lives. Politically, as a conservative Christian without a lot of restraint on calling things as they are, I recognize the big red target painted on my chest. Should something ill-advised slip from my lips there will be negative consequences. It will be unpleasant. And, it will be my own fault.

So, today as I pray, I will thank God that he orchestrated my fast so that I don't have to watch all the hoopla about Reid's comments. And, I will ask that He help me to set a guard about my mouth. For those things that we say can be as powerful (and painful) as those things that we do.

He who keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble. Proverbs 21:23