Sentence First

Alice in Wonderland - Either the well was very deep, or she fell very slowly, for she had plenty of time as she went down to look about her and to wonder what was going to happen next.

I recently had a conversation with someone and I felt as if I was falling down a deep hole and I didn’t know where I would land. I wanted the conversation to stop, but like with Alice, the well was very deep or I was falling slowly. Her words were coming out like rapid fire and I was thinking in slow motion.

Today as I reflect back, I wish my response had come much quicker, of telling the person I didn’t want to listen to negative things about another person.

The Queen in the book Alice in Wonderland said "Sentence first -- verdict afterwards." Her words may be more profound than I ever realized before. Whatever we say, we are responsible; in other words, the verdict does come in after our sentence.

The sentence? Any words I form to convey a thought, good or bad.

The verdict? Being responsible for planting a seed of doubt and putting a person’s character in question...or choosing to build up another by my words.

I make a choice each time I speak.  What comes out of my mouth is the true picture of my heart.

"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." (Ephesians 4:29)