busted. (or "out of the mouths of babes")

Tuesday, July 31, 2007

the cast:
a mom, a friend, child 1 and child 2 (both under 10)

the setting:
cruising along in a vehicle on the highway

the conversation:
the mom & the friend are discussing a dating couple's chances of survival. the friend doesn't think they'll make it, the mom does. a few different stories are shared, details discussed, etc. child 1 and child 2 are quiet in the back seat.

the interruption:
child 1, actually sounding like the question has nothing to do with the current conversation: "mom, why do you tell me not to gossip?"
child 2, sounding genuinely perplexed: "Yeah, what is gossip anyway?"
the mom & the friend: dead silence

more dead silence

the friend, realizing there's no way out of this: "well, you know what we've been doing for the past 5 minutes? that's gossip. pretty much a perfect example, actually."

we were so. busted.

trust the Lord to use a child to remind us of our own sin, and the example we set for the little ones around us.

ouch.

they are listening. and absorbing. and learning. we need to be so careful!

Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
(Psalm 141:3)

I must say...as serious as the issue was, I laughed so hard I cried at how perfect the bust was. it couldn't have been scripted better to shut us both up.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

Okay so you guys are not perfect - busted! I just wish I was there to bust you because at least I would know which couple you were talking about (I know I'm not the only person wondering - LOL). Just kidding ---- besides that would just lead to more gossip and we will have none of that :-)

GO KIDS!!!!!

Christina said...

These are Quick definitions for the word gossip

noun: a report (often malicious) about the behavior of other people (Example: "The divorce caused much gossip")
noun: a person given to gossiping and divulging personal information about others
noun: light informal conversation for social occasions
verb: talk socially without exchanging too much information
verb: wag one's tongue; speak about others and reveal secrets or intimacies