Are you in need of some pie?

Those who guard their speech insure they will take another breath,
    but those who talk without thinking guarantee their demise."
Probverbs 13:3 VOICE

In the past couple weeks I found myself saying, "Lisa, shut your mouth. If you don't have anything good to say, don't say anything at all." But then there have been a few moments where I didn't listen to my elder's words of wisdom when I didn't have anything good, or nice, to say and you know what happens...

Have you been there before or am I the only one? I don't know about you but sometimes my filter works better than other times. I'm thankful God and my parent's upbringing usually keeps the unkind, hurtful, or rotten thoughts from escaping to the air. My filter isn't white, this is for sure, on my own it looks like the filter above because of the sinful thoughts that go through it daily. 

On the flip side, thanks to Jesus' death on the cross, our filters are wiped clean and are pure white. Something I've learned, when I've spent some time reading my Bible and in prayer, it's much easier to think and say what is kind and right because my filter is clean but when I start my day on social media or the busyness of life, the clogged filter can't work properly. So if I know this, why do I continue to make poor choices or let words ooze from my mouth that are unkind to or about someone else? The easy answer...I'm a sinner. The more challenging answer, it's easier to "let it fly" rather than bite your tongue.

Do not be too hasty to speak your mind before God 
or too quick to make promises you won’t keep,
for God is in heaven and you are on earth. 
Therefore, watch your tongue;let your words be few.  
For just as busyness breeds restless dreams, 
so wordiness reveals the voice of a fool.
Ecclesiastes 5:2-3 VOICE

In spirit of Thanksgiving and the variety of pies many will enjoy this holiday weekend, rather than let the ugliness spill from our mouths..."Put a piece of pie in your pie hole (mouth)." and think first. Ask yourself, if I was on the receiving end of this statement, how would I feel? Think then speak. 

I'll be trying to better on this too. In case you are wondering, after saying something I shouldn't have with the first breath and following it with a "Oh, sorry, I shouldn't of said that. I need a vacation because my filter is shot.", a friend wittingly responded with, "You just have to put some pie in your pie hole." There were a few of us in the room and we just laughed. We laughed because my friend who said it usually is amazingly kind and only sees the good in everyone and all situations AND because, the analogy hit home. We, as a society, need to focus more on thinking first then speaking.

You know what happens when you eat too much pie, you'll get fat. So rather than fill up on pie, open your heart and schedule for True PIE - Prayer Instead of Eating. Instead of our waistlines expanding, our patience, tolerance, acceptance, outlook, attitude, and view point will burst with joy and peace when the day is over.

Do you need to eat a piece of pie or PIE!?