by Kim Avery
20,000 words. That’s how many words the average woman speaks every single day. I get that. I like talking. In fact, as an extrovert I like talking a lot. Research tells us that talking actually causes an emission of hormones in a woman’s brain similar to the sensations a drug addict feels after receiving a long awaited dose.
I’m not surprised. I’m addicted to talking; it is my drug of choice.
So, if you add my 30 days of limited talking due to having laryngitis to my 10 days of complete voice rest, you quickly realize that I have 800,000 words that have been left unsaid.
But wait, there’s more.
I have been ordered by the doctor to barely speak at all for the upcoming month as well. So, get your pencils out and add another 600,000 words to the 800,000 above and suddenly there are 1,400,000 very important words I’ve been unable to say.
1,400,000.
I am in severe withdrawal. I miss my words.
Whatever Will the World Do?
At this point, I know you are asking, as I am, “how has the world ever survived while Kim has been mute?” And the answer is I have no idea. They have missed out on life-changing thoughts like these. “I filled the car up with gas.” “The dog barfed on the rug,” and “Add an order of fries to that Big Mac.” I marvel that others have managed so well with these profundities left unshared.
And I’ve had more important things to communicate as well. To my contractor whose skills far surpass my own, I really needed to say, “What if we did it this way (i.e. my way)?” “I really don’t think that is a good plan,” is just what my husband needed to hear. And, “You’ll never understand how a mother feels,” was the guilt trip begging to be laid heavy on the heart of my son.
Control
These particular words and more have quickly fermented into a bitter brew as they remained bottled up inside. Why? Richard Foster shares these amazing insights:
“One reason we can hardly bear to remain silent is that it makes us feel so helpless. We are so accustomed to relying upon words to manage and control others. If we are silent, who will take control? God will take control; but we will never let Him take control until we trust Him. Silence is intimately related to trust.”
Suddenly the question is not, how will the world survive without Kim, but do I trust God to manage my life on His own? Do I believe that His power is sufficient for me? Do I love Him? Do I trust Him with my life?
And if only I could speak, you would hear me say “I do.”
How is God building trust in your life? I would love it it you would take a minute to share in the comment box below.
Tags: *Kim Avery, control, faith, laryngitis
