“But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart.” Luke 2:19

Can’t Take ‘Em Back

Walk His Way Revisited

Once, when I served on a jury, occasionally a witness or attorney would say something that someone would object to for some legal reason, and the judge often would have it stricken from the record. We on the jury were admonished not to consider those words when making our decisions. We were to judge as if we had never heard it—as if it had never been said. It was extremely hard to do.

There’s just something about the spoken word: you can’t take it back. Once it’s out there, it’s fair game for someone else to quote, poke holes in, agree with, or judge you by.

In my lifetime, I have been called both wise and foolish, crazy and level-headed, smart and stupid, overzealous and timid, a fraud and the real deal, prideful and humble, trustworthy and untrustworthy, patient and impatient, loving and spiteful, forgiving and a grudge-holder, Christian and can’t-possibly-be-a-Christian—all based on the words I’ve spoken.

My words have brought approval, and they have brought judgment and criticism.

Oh, to be like the mother of our Lord! When she was given unbelievable news, she pondered it in her heart. What a mighty pondering that must have been! All too often, I am not like Mary. I blurt and stumble over my words. I prematurely tell the news. I will be saying something and suddenly get the uncomfortable feeling of, “This is wrong, all wrong; say no more!” Sometimes I listen, sometimes I don’t.

How I yearn to take back wrong words, words spoken out of season (at the wrong time and place), or spoken in some attitude other than love. But no, it can’t be done. I can’t take them back—I must learn to ponder things in my heart until I get the go-ahead from my Commander.

I can learn from those in the Word. Joseph’s father, Jacob, kept the dreams of Joseph “in mind” (Genesis 37:11). Daniel’s thoughts greatly troubled him, but he “kept the matter in his heart” (Daniel 7:28). Not only did Mary ponder the angel’s announcement in her heart, but later, in Luke 2:51, she kept all the things she was seeing and hearing about her Son in her heart.

There is a time to speak, and a time to keep silent (Ecclesiastes 3:7).

Lord, teach me to set a watch over my mouth and ponder things in my heart instead of tossing them out where they can’t be retrieved. Give me a check in my spirit, that I may learn the more excellent way. Amen.