Every Idle Word

Matthew 12:36: "Every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment."

Last night I was working a little later than I normally would in order to meet a deadline I had. Almost everyone had gone at this point. In fact, I thought everyone had gone, but it turns out that a few people were still around (though I'm not sure why). While I work on a floor with approximately 50 people or so, I'm in an office with four people that are on my team specifically. But due to the vents and such, we can hear what's going on outside of our office uncomfortably well. So last night, I just happened to hear two individuals outside of my office completely and utterly badmouth my team.

It was one of those moments when my blood started to boil. "What? We don't know what's really going on in the company? We don't understand what's really important? We're completely disconnected?" I wanted to go out there and let them know that they were the ones who didn't understand. But I didn't. Instead, I just said goodnight when I left. I could tell they didn't realize I had heard everything they said.

It's still frustrating to me today, but it refreshes a good point. Have you ever heard it said that you should only say things about people if you were comfortable if they were listening? Some times those people are listening. And quite frankly, it just isn't worth it. Many bridges can be burnt that way.

It's often those who are closest to us that bring up the worst comments, I think. I know there have been several things I've wanted to say to my wife... but I know that if I do, I will never be able to take them back again. You can apologize a million times, and you can even be forgiven, but you can't change the fact that the person heard them.

It's important to be nice... to always be nice.