How to Bridle Your Tongue!

“If any man thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless” (James 1:25).

Hey gang, after several very busy weeks, my bride and I decided we needed a couple day of R and R at one of our very favorite places, Shipshewana, Indiana. Shipshey, as it is more commonly known, is in the midst of Amish and Mennonite Country. It is not a place that rates very high on the ‘bangles and beads’ list of the city slickers who like the neon lights.

It brought memories of my younger years. I was privileged to live in the middle of another Amish community- Lancaster, Pennsylvania. There I picked up milk at 54 Amish Farms.  It was not a job for the future but it was perfect for a person who was struggling in their life and needed to be among some very special people. 

To me, I thought they were perfect, but I soon learned they, too, had problems- just like everyone else.  One memory that stands out clearly and filed in the ‘Did you know that gossip thrives on suspicion, mistrust, and a lack of confidence in others,’ file.  It can even gain strength  in the midst of honest misunderstandings. 

When I arrived at the Deacon Amos Zook Farm, I found a very irate Amos.  He was very quick to tell me there was a blasphemous situation that was taking place in his community.  It seems one of his parishioners was using electric lights to motivate his hens to lay more eggs, and,,electricity was one of those modern conveniences that was a no – no in old line Mennonite and Amish lives.

Although the members of Amos’s Community did not have telephones, it did not take it long to spread the ‘dastardly act of rebellion’ throughout the whole community and the gossip wheels began to turn.  But after a brief investigation it was learned that Brother Samuels indiscretion was the result of a misunderstanding of what Deacon Amos had suggested Brother Sam do to motivate his chickens.   

It seems Brother Samuel’s hens were just not motivated to lay eggs in the number that he expected, so, he sought the advice of the Deacon- who suggested he try the vitamin and electrolyte mixture available in the local feed store. This he did. Now I was not privy to whether the hens did indeed lay more eggs, but was made privy to the fact that there would be a meeting of the Sanhedrin that very day to address the ‘electrolyte’ verse ‘electric light’ issue.

It then dawned on the Deacon that he was the seed planter of this dastardly sin when he suggested Brother Samuel purchase the vitamin and electrolyte mixture - which the young chicken farmer took to mean “electric light”.  The mystery was soon solved and the young man corrected the errors of his ways.

Unfortunately, not all gossip can be laid to rest with so much relief and touch of humor.  A simple pulling of the plug brought brother Samuel back into compliance.  I believe that is what James was talking about when he wrote: “Yet he who does not bridle his tongue deceives his own heart”.

Notice he does not stop there but went on to give warning: “…the gossipers religion is worthless”. 
 So, my young buckaroos, if you have a season when your chickens are not laying and you lack wisdom as to what to do -“Let him ask of God who gives to all generously and without reproach and it will be given to him” (James 1:5).

Blessings,

Gramps