Oh Be Careful Little Mouths

Do you remember singing this little song as a child?
"Oh be careful little eyes what you see...Oh be careful little mouths what you say...oh be careful little ears what you hear...oh be careful little feet where you go...oh be careful little hands what you do...For the Father up above is looking down in love so be careful little ____ what you ___"
How many of us sang that song not knowing what the "Looking down in love" part was all about and just incredibly afraid of screwing up and getting God mad at us? Oh how we've messed up our minds and theology.

We were at a short retreat at our church with 4 other couples this weekend talking about our "prodigal God". You know the story of the prodigal son? Your Bible, Luke 15:11-31. We focus on how the "prodigal son" comes home. But in context, the story is about the older son, and how his legalistic rule-following tendencies were just as bad as the outwardly rebellious younger brother. The older brother was actually just as rebellious to his father, but in his heart, and he wasn't willing to respond to the Father's love and join him. Oh how we are the older brother.

Our Father God is offering us grace, forgiveness, mercy, and love and yet, we think we can earn His favor. But we can't. We must not casually lean on the cross and tell others they need it. We must be face down in front of the cross with open arms saying "come, come, there is grace here" We all need it and we are all lost without it. So that when we sing of being careful, it is in love, because the Father is protecting us not waiting to strike us.

And a side note, let us be careful little mouths what we say. Because words can hurt, they can alienate you from someone, and break any trust that was there. Our mouths can bring life and love and kindness. Or they can spew hate and hurt and malice.

"Lord, give us the humility to come in to your house, because we are nothing. We have nothing and can do nothing. Let us show your love and be your love. May we dive as deeply as possible into the world without sinning to pull others to safety. May we cling to the cross and share the grace we have received. Because we cannot earn your favor. It is all because of you. And Lord, may our mouths bring life-giving words, not hurt and death."