Years ago, I had a District Superintendent in the United Methodist Church — a position which functions, more or less, as a pastor to the pastors — tell a group of us assembled clergy: “When you want to get the last word in . . . don’t.”
And I was thinking, “But I have so many good last words! You’re quenching my spirit! Cramping my style!”
Don’t.
That’s hard isn’t it? Especially if you are a know-it-all like me! My natural tendency is to win that argument, to answer with sarcasm, to finish with the verbal upperhand.
But like most things, my natural tendency leads to trouble.
So through the years I have taken my District Superintendent’s teaching to heart.
And the great thing is that I have had a number of relationships restored in part because I didn’t say all that I wanted to say when those relationships were breaking.
Do you have some “last words” you want to get in today? Don’t.