[ampaterry]

I have not heard that one, Jack, but I like it!

For today:

This devotional is dedicated to my better half, Judy. Judy is more familiar with the definition of ‘tact’ than any person I know, because her grandmother made her look it up so many times!

Perhaps you heard the story about the man with delicate sensibilities, Mr. Myrick. He had to go to Chicago on business and persuaded his brother to take care of his cat during his absence. Though he hated cats, the brother agreed – just because that is what brothers do. Upon his return, Myrick called from the airport to check on the cat.

"Your cat died," the brother reported, then hung up.

Myrick was inconsolable. His grief was magnified by his brother's insensitivity, so he called again to express his pain. "There was no need for you to be so blunt," he said.

"What was I supposed to say?" asked the perplexed brother. “The cat is dead!”

"You could have broken the news gradually," explained Myrick. "You could have said, 'The cat is on the roof and can’t get down.' Then, later in the conversation, you could have said, 'He fell off.' Then you could have said, 'He broke his leg.' Then when I came to pick him up, you could have said, 'I'm so sorry. You're cat passed away during the night.' You've got to learn to be more tactful.
"By the way, how's Mom?"

After a long pause, the brother replied, "She's on the roof and can’t get down."

The Word of God tells us to use soft and gentle language:
Ephesians 4:15 (KJV);
"But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ:"
Proverbs 15:1(KJV);
"A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger."
Proverbs 25:15(NCV);
"With patience you can convince a ruler, and a gentle word can get through to the hard-headed."

But if you want it hard, blunt, and true – ask Judy.

May God bless you, guys -