THE FLOORING
Some time ago, I checked into a motel room past midnight for a few remaining hours. Stepping into the rented room, my eyes caught a glimpse of the carpeted flooring. Yellowish-mildew seemed to run alongside the border of the rug, causing the rug to appear to have been installed since the motel’s first GRAND opening 100 (or more) years ago. While the entire room appeared o be thoroughly clean and well-maintained, it amazed me that the flooring would have me feel doubtful of the entire room before me. The white pillow cases and bed sheets were stainless and clean; the sink – located directly in the bedding area – was spotless and clean. Entering into the bathroom, the tiled floor was clean and spotless, without any marks or scoffs, chipped, cracked, or broken flooring. The toilet and tub were clean and spotlessly white – all appearing new, with no mildew, rust, dirt or stain! Trash bin was empty and clean.
However, my thoughts – for some reason – continued to ponder on the yellowish-mildew edge of the rug, near the entrance. I’m NOT so “nit-picky,” which explains the reason for which I, myself, was found surprised at myself for doubting the furnishing of the room. However, I thought I’d skip the shower to “freshen-up” myself since I did not have any small bath towel nor water shoes to place inside the tub. All this, for a border edge of the rug-flooring’s yellowish stain!
However, my thoughts – for some reason – continued to ponder on the yellowish-mildew edge of the rug, near the entrance. I’m NOT so “nit-picky,” which explains the reason for which I, myself, was found surprised at myself for doubting the furnishing of the room. However, I thought I’d skip the shower to “freshen-up” myself since I did not have any small bath towel nor water shoes to place inside the tub. All this because of a mildew stain on the border of a rug!
However, it prompted me to wonder how our tongue, a member of our bodies, composed of nothing but tissues and contains NO bone, can be compared to the “flooring” of our bodies. From the inside of our mouth running like a rolled-out red carpet down to our stomach (esophagus). Yet, just like the motel’s rugged carpeting, it is , precisely, our tongue that wards-off a much more clear portrait of our character unto those around us.
By what we relate to others, people can measure our character and produce a much more precise portrait of who we are as individuals! By the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks! (Matthew 12:34).
The capability of a rug prompting me to “judge” the entire room, that night, is the same capability tour tongue has to have others judge us! The yellowish stain running on the border can compare to the topics we relate to others. It may well be symbolic to gossip, slander, rumor-spreading, back-biting, malicious speech, profanity, or vulgarity – causing others to “doubt” we are kind, understanding, cheerful, and harmless people even when we naturally wear a wide-brim smile.
In all your encounters: Let Your Words Be Few (Ecc. 5:2) so that others may be “enlightened” and not cringe inside TOLERATING every minute of our encountering communications with them. Remain positive and motivate them with your communication. Share lite-hearted humor and a GREAT encouraging word (or Word), so your day-to-day encounters be DIFFERENT and WELCOMED every time…
SSet the “ “stage”-flooring” of your day. Notice: The first thing that comes out of your mouth will be re-“introduced again, as the topic of your day….©
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