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Innies vs. Outies - May 05, 2006
Are you an Innie or an Outie? Don't worry, I'm not talking belly buttons here. It's a towel question. Do you dry off inside the shower or do you get out first and then dry off?
We have a mixture at my house. I'm a lifetime member of the Innie clan. It's probably because I do a lot of the cleaning and I just hate it when body drippings are slopped all around the bathroom, then left fermenting on the floor. But after I carefully towel off inside the shower, I can't tell you how many times I've come back after a couple of other people in my family have showered to find that some rogue Outie has splattered a trail from shower to sink and beyond. I could probably track down the Outies through the slosh, but one slip on the Outie trail and I'm afraid I could take a spill myself- one that would be anything but pleasant to mop up.
There are times I'd totally dismiss the pursuit of determining the Innies and Outies among my children- if only I could get them to hang up their wet towels. We have Innies and Outies, yes. But we also have Hangers and Molders. I think all children are born innate Molders. Sadly, it takes years of nagging to overcome those Moldy tendencies, especially in male children, who in turn often grow up to become adult Molders. The Moldy/nagging cycle often continues for generations.
There are ins and outs in conversation too; things we'd much rather see perpetuated for generations. There are words we're supposed to keep in- Innies. Proverbs 17:27-28 says, "A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue."
On the other hand, there are matters of conversation we're not meant to keep in. They're clearly meant to be conversation Outies. The Lord spoke to Paul with Outie instructions in Acts 18:9 when he said, "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent." We're instructed to keep on telling the Good News of Jesus.
Unfortunately, we tend to get the ins and outs of conversation all turned around. We let foolish selfishness tumble right out of our heads and through our mouths, hurting the people we're supposed to be building up. Then we're deathly still and silent when doors of opportunity for sharing Christ are thrown open right before us.
How we move in and out of conversation is a testimony. Colossians 4:5-6 doesn't tiptoe around conversation instruction when it says to "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt... "
Becoming the kind of conversationalist the Lord wants us to be means trading that old foolish selfishness for grace. That's when our words become salty, making those around us thirsty for Jesus. How fabulous to find people hanging on every word you speak about Him; they're the most glorious Hangers!
Rhonda Rhea is the author of "Who Put the Cat in the Fridge" and other insanely fun books, including "Amusing Grace" and "Turkey Soup for the Soul--Tastes Just Like Chicken." She is a radio personality and humor columnist and speaks at conferences and events nationwide. Rhonda lives in the St. Louis area with her pastor/husband and their five children. Find out more at www.RhondaRhea.net.
Are you an Innie or an Outie? Don't worry, I'm not talking belly buttons here. It's a towel question. Do you dry off inside the shower or do you get out first and then dry off?
We have a mixture at my house. I'm a lifetime member of the Innie clan. It's probably because I do a lot of the cleaning and I just hate it when body drippings are slopped all around the bathroom, then left fermenting on the floor. But after I carefully towel off inside the shower, I can't tell you how many times I've come back after a couple of other people in my family have showered to find that some rogue Outie has splattered a trail from shower to sink and beyond. I could probably track down the Outies through the slosh, but one slip on the Outie trail and I'm afraid I could take a spill myself- one that would be anything but pleasant to mop up.
There are times I'd totally dismiss the pursuit of determining the Innies and Outies among my children- if only I could get them to hang up their wet towels. We have Innies and Outies, yes. But we also have Hangers and Molders. I think all children are born innate Molders. Sadly, it takes years of nagging to overcome those Moldy tendencies, especially in male children, who in turn often grow up to become adult Molders. The Moldy/nagging cycle often continues for generations.
There are ins and outs in conversation too; things we'd much rather see perpetuated for generations. There are words we're supposed to keep in- Innies. Proverbs 17:27-28 says, "A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered. Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue."
On the other hand, there are matters of conversation we're not meant to keep in. They're clearly meant to be conversation Outies. The Lord spoke to Paul with Outie instructions in Acts 18:9 when he said, "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent." We're instructed to keep on telling the Good News of Jesus.
Unfortunately, we tend to get the ins and outs of conversation all turned around. We let foolish selfishness tumble right out of our heads and through our mouths, hurting the people we're supposed to be building up. Then we're deathly still and silent when doors of opportunity for sharing Christ are thrown open right before us.
How we move in and out of conversation is a testimony. Colossians 4:5-6 doesn't tiptoe around conversation instruction when it says to "Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt... "
Becoming the kind of conversationalist the Lord wants us to be means trading that old foolish selfishness for grace. That's when our words become salty, making those around us thirsty for Jesus. How fabulous to find people hanging on every word you speak about Him; they're the most glorious Hangers!
Rhonda Rhea is the author of "Who Put the Cat in the Fridge" and other insanely fun books, including "Amusing Grace" and "Turkey Soup for the Soul--Tastes Just Like Chicken." She is a radio personality and humor columnist and speaks at conferences and events nationwide. Rhonda lives in the St. Louis area with her pastor/husband and their five children. Find out more at www.RhondaRhea.net.
