This is the second post of a mini series here on the blog centering around Karen Ehman’s new book, Keep It Shut. You can find PART 1 here. Today is release day for the book and you can find ordering information on Karen’s site here. You can also read a sample chapter on her site.

So chapter 2 of this book is titled Squabbles, Spats and Such. I’m thinking we all know a little something about those words. The scripture verse at the beginning of the chapter is Proverbs 10:12-13 and it reads: Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers all wrongs. Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning.

Oh, how I love this. Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning. Maybe I love this so much because my word choice for 2015 is ‘wisdom’.

This chapter deals with how we are all not alike which of course leads to conflict from time to time. As a result we will feel anger, frustration and resentment towards others. This is natural. It’s how we deal with it that makes all the difference. Like Karen, I tend to deal with non family members with a bit more grace and patience than my family members. It’s easy to lash out at the ones who are stuck with us!! Why do we do that? How can we stop doing this? Chapter Two explores how Joseph was able to exhibit kindness to the brothers who betrayed him and offers us some guidance on how he did that.

Remembering to say what honors God, giving God credit where He is due, being kind and not boastful are all ways to speak from our hearts and “lace our words with grace”.

The challenge this week is to not lose our cool with family members or co-workers who drive us nuts. Will you use speech that drums up fights and squabbles or will you use kind words that heal and encourage?

How about last week’s challenge? Did you remember to think before you spoke and did you notice a difference?

My favorite part of Chapter 2 is when Karen points out that all the humans we encounter in the course of our lives are artfully placed in our pathways. I don’t believe in coincidence and this affirms my thoughts that God knows well before we do, who we will marry, befriend, be a student of or a teacher to…it’s all orchestrated intentionally and beautifully for us. I want to share a story with you that occurred this week…

Very recently an older man was at my home doing some repair work. We chatted a bit as he went about his work regarding raising children as he is father to 8 grown children. In my ever lasting quest to fill up silence, I asked more and more about his family. As he finished up his work, he spoke of how difficult life can be when you watch your loved ones battle addiction. I silently sent up a prayer asking God how to respond to this man who I fully believe was meant to be here talking with me that day. The answer was to just keep my mouth quiet and listen to him and tell him that I would be praying for his family daily. I could feel his heavy heart as if it were my own. He then spoke of his own prayers asking God to help his family as he felt he had tried everything else. I don’t know why his path crossed mine but I do know it was for a reason. Maybe he left feeling slightly less burdened having had a chance to speak of his worries out loud. I may never know and that is OK for I know it was just meant to be.

Join me next week to chat about Chapter 3.
Sandi