Consider the birds… (3)

'That is why I tell you not to worry about everyday life—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?' Matthew 6:25-27 (NLT)

A little bird told me. That phrase is used when you don’t want to reveal your source of information. It is some times tied to Ecclesiastes 10:20: 'Never make light of the king, even in your thoughts. And don’t make fun of the powerful, even in your own bedroom. For a little bird might deliver your message and tell them what you said.' (NLT) As a leader, it is helpful when people clue you in on vital information so that you can make wise decisions and lead well. It is not supportive when people pass on malicious gossip or pass on confidential information in the guise of helping you. When you are in a people business, (caring for people) there is a fine line about sharing information and gossip.

My grandmother often told me, 'God gave us two eyes to look with, two ears to hear with, two hands to help with, two feet to go with, but only one mouth. Be careful about how much you say.'

The social network of Twitter is full of a lot of words as people 'tweet' (write down and share) their thoughts for the other tweeters to read. There are a whole flock of little birds singing if you care to join. Sometimes the information is important and sometimes it is just the need to talk. People have been hurt or embarrassed by this tweeting. Others have been helped and encouraged. Weigh your words before you tweet or before you speak because once the words are set free from the mouth or the mind, you cannot call them back. Be careful little birds what you say.

By Commissioner Debi Bell