Wisdom, according to Proverbs 3:18, is a tree of life to those who embrace her.” One way that we can embrace wisdom is to choose our words carefully. In fact, Solomon says that, “A word well-spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver” (Proverbs 25:11). I believe that means an appropriate and properly timed word–like gold apples set against a silver sculpture or carving–can be charming and very pleasing to the eye.
A company that was in the process of downsizing (or in the process of “re-engineering the workplace,” as they called it) brought in a consultant to help them with the process The company goal was for managers to maintain productivity while at the same time keeping morale among the employees on a relatively high plane. The consultant, in the course of his assignment with the managers, added a contemporary twist to an old classic. “What does the optimist say about the glass and the water?” he asked. “It’s half full,” one manager replied. “And what does the pessimist say?” he queried. “It’s half empty.” “And what does the process consultant have to say about it?” There was total silence until the consultant revealed the new twist on things. “Looks like you’ve got twice as much glass as you need there!”
Not many of us have the ability to consistently “say it right.” A pastor and his wife were the recipients of a freshly baked pie from a dear sister in the congregation. Peggy was a wonderful person, but it was a known fact that she couldn’t bake, and everyone knew it! The pie was simply inedible, so the pastor and his wife finally gave it to their dog. Then they had the unpleasant task of writing a thank you note. The pastor thought long and hard, and finally sat down to write the following: “Dear Sister Peggy: Sue and I want to thank you sincerely for your thoughtfulness. Please be assured that a pie like yours never lasts very long around our house.” That’s “saying it right,” I’d say!