“Make Your Words Count”
May 29, 2025
There once was a monk who took a vow of silence but was permitted to speak two words every ten years. When the first decade was up, the monk said, “Food bad”. Then ten years later, he said, “Bed hard.” And then at the end of the third decade he said, “I quit”. The abbot said to the monk, “I am not surprised you quit because all you ever did was complain!”
Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, said in Ecclesiastes 3:7b there is “…a time to keep silence, and a time to speak”. However, Solomon did not specify the times. So, what are those times that we should exercise the wisdom of Solomon and keep silent or speak?
One time we should speak is when we are advocating for those who are destitute.
Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. (Proverbs 31:8)
The word, “destitute”, in this verse refers to those who are in poverty, and also to those who are unable to care for themselves, suffering in catastrophic circumstances, or who are terminally ill.
Many years ago, my father, with a pacemaker implant, experienced a confusing medical emergency which required a visit to the hospital. The doctor on duty was baffled by my dad’s condition and kept staring at the heart monitors, shaking his head, and repeating the words, “Hmmm….don’t know what this is.” My dad was in great discomfort and I did not know if his situation was life threatening or not and I was growing impatient with the lack of a diagnosis. I had some idea of what might be wrong only because of previous experiences with my dad, but I was afraid to suggest anything to the doctor, who knew so much more than I did. Instead, I called a medical professional friend to check my thinking and she quickly offered some medical jargon and suggested a conversation I should have immediately with the doctor. I memorized the jargon, practiced it in my head, and prepared to muster up the courage to speak with the doctor.
What do you do when you think you might have an answer to a medical dilemma that the medical professional doesn’t have? Do you keep silent or speak? I chose to speak up, because my father was “destitute” and I said, “Excuse me doctor, but could my dad be experiencing pacemaker mediated tachycardia, and if so, should a technician be called in to reprogram his pacemaker?” It turns out that was exactly the issue and the treatment needed. Once the doctor took credit for the diagnosis, a technician was called in and my father’s heart returned to normal.
It was the wise thing, even though I was fearful, to make my words count, and speak as an advocate for my dad who was unable to speak for himself.
What situations have you faced in which it was wise to speak rather than remain silent?