Dog Gone It!

“Taking the Lord’s name in vain is not a good way to start the day.”

These words, following a curse, came out of my husband’s mouth this morning as he stumbled while carrying the last Christmas tree upstairs. Yes, you read me correctly. It is March 9, and he is putting away a Christmas tree.

We put up three trees each year. The trees in our family room and living room were dutifully taken down after Christmas. The tree in the kitchen, which bears ornaments that are kitcheny in nature, was just too cute to take down. Then January turned into February, which turned into March. I got my orders a week ago when 2-year-old Miss D pointed her little finger to my tree and sternly said, “Nana, take that tree down!” Okey dokey.

Back to taking the Lord’s name in vain.

Contrary to popular thought, the commandment that states, “Thou shall not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain” really has very little to do with cussing. That commandment had more to do with God asking his people to bear his name with honor as we speak about him. I hope I do that.

Still, in St. Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, he says “No foul language should come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for needed edification, that it may impart grace to those who hear.”

To me, a dedicated cusser (despite my efforts otherwise), this advice from St. Paul is very meaningful. While cussing, especially using God’s name in anger, is so instinctive and seems as though it makes us feel better at the time, just think of the good that would come out of each of us if we only used words that bring us and others grace. Almost like a smile makes us and others feel good.

One of my New Year’s resolutions was: No cussing! I continue to work on that resolution and believe I am doing better in that regard. It’s hard to come up with substitutes. I have a good friend who never cusses. I always smile to myself when I hear her say things like “jeepers” or “golly.” Maybe I need to say words like that more forcibly to really make me feel better!