Mum's the Word

My eight year old granddaughter, Sookie, loves to write.  As a tot, she chose books over baby dolls and alphabet letters and flash cards over T.V. cartoons.

Sookie began writing stories in Kindergarten.  She illustrates, too, with her drawings.  She always includes herself in every picture.  I remember Christmas holidays when family members opened their neatly wrapped presents and unveiled a stapled-together story written by Sookie from the depths of her heart.  Misspelled words and heartfelt drawings always accompanied her distinguishable self portrait.

Sookie has it, the gift of writing, and reaches way beyond her years.  I can only hope discernment catches up.   It’s not easy to encourage a kid to write and then put the skids on how much to say.  Mostly, she does an outstanding job, but sometimes correction follows.

I remember the time she designed a sympathy card for the childless couple in our family who had to put down their beloved cat of 18 years.  Sookie wrote:  “I’m sorry you had to kill your cat, Auntie and Uncle.”

Our family loves Sookie and we know what she meant!

When a family friend, Betty, turned 95, Sookie made her a homemade card with flowers and a bright sun radiating with long rays.  And these words:  “You are a very old person.”

Betty, with her sparkling sense of humor, read that card over and over and chuckled and then commented:  “This card is one of a kind.”

Recently Sookie delved into fiction.  She whispered excitedly to her best friend on the playground about a story she created.  “Mr. Square-face sneaks into bedrooms of dark skinned children at night and eats them alive.”

The best friend had a meltdown that night.  You might have guessed it—she’s dark skinned.  Going to bed was not an option!

You know you’re in trouble when the BFF’s mom calls and says:  “I am not mad but we have to discuss Sookie’s stories.”

I’m like Sookie sometimes and I feel that God is speaking to me.  I saw a post on social media by a friend weary of all the political brouhaha.  She simply suggested that every post does not require a reply.  She’s right.  It is tempting for us who write to get carried away and throw in our two cents.  

“All things are lawful for me,

 but not all things are helpful;

 all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify.”

1 Corinthians 10:23, NKJV

The First Amendment gives me the right to my opinion, but God’s Word reminds me that my objective, to edify others, calls me to pause and maybe even refrain.  And not comment?  Aww.

What’s a strong-willed thinker to do?  What responsibility must I claim?  I’m learning that freedom comes from choosing wisely.  I pray for wisdom these days!

Can you relate to this?  Or is this lesson one for me and Sookie to meander through alone?