Yesterday, I sat at lunch with a dear elderly friend who God brought into my life a few years ago.  When I first met this man, I knew immediately I wanted to be like him.  His faith is contagious.  When he talks about God, his face lights up and his eyes twinkle.  He is like a kid in a candy store.  But, there is more to my friend, Mr. Bob Tissot Sr.

When I talk with this man of faith, he looks at me.  Eye to eye, he is paying attention.  He does so because he is interested in the words that are being spoken.  He does not interrupt.  He is gracious.  Polite.  Respectful.  His eyes fill with tears when we talk about the needs of others.  He is full of the compassion of Christ.  I want to reciprocate with the same to him.

God said in his Word, "For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks."  Matthew 12:34  It is easy to tell the abundance of this man's heart.  When he speaks his words are flavored with the Words of God.  You can tell he knows God to be true, otherwise he would not speak such things.  He has lived through the tough times of life and even though there are a few scars, he is still faithful.

I talk with an average of 10-15 people per day, either in my office in person, by phone, by email, or by walking through our shops and offices.  I listen to their words.  I look them in their eyes.  Some speak what they think I want to hear.  They are trying to impress me with their knowledge.  They speak things that reveal their heart.  Some bless others with their words.  Many curse others with their words.  As James says, "...these things ought not to be so."   James 3:10 

I want to be like this elderly friend of mine.  I want to be like David, the psalmist, who said, "Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer." 

I want to remember that someday I will stand before God and every idle word that I have spoken will be replayed for Him and I to hear again.  Will I be embarrassed?  Ashamed?  Or, will I be happy that my words praised God and others. 

On that day, who will we be trying to impress with our words?  Will those words have already been spoken, that now return to us, with our Heavenly Father standing by to hear?  Oh yes, He is hearing every word we speak right now.