By CarolMarie Smith –
“Give me just one drink”, I pleaded with my little sister who had patiently nursed her soda pop as we rode down the road. As children, we never had these “soft drinks” in our home, (we were a kool-aid family) and the only time we had the opportunity to drink one was on a long trip. I had picked out my favorite, either the Cream Soda or Nesbitt’s Orange Drink and had chug-a-lugged it right down while my sister drank hers sparingly. I knew better than to try to convince my wiser and older brother riding on the other side of the back seat, but Shirley could be persuaded if I begged enough.
“Pleeeeeeeeaaaaaaasssssseeeeeee” I would relentlessly beg. Finally Shirley would say, “OK, but I get to hold your “gilly-golly”. Now my “gilly-golly” was the name we gave to our adam’s apple in our throat because it seemed to make that sound when we swallowed! She would put her finger on my throat to make sure I did not swallow more than once, for she only gave permission for ONE swallow! I so agreed, filled my mouth with all I could get and swallowed once…holding the rest in my cheeks.
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We would drive for what seemed hours with her finger on my throat and me looking as innocent as I could. My sis would ask me questions to get me to talk and reveal what I had done. But my conversation was very limited, for it was controlled by her finger! Finally I could not stand it any longer, and yes, I swallowed the second drink! Quick to the draw, Shirley’s finger pushed down gagging me and giving me my just rewards!!! This happened on every trip it seemed, and brought laughs for she and I both knew I could not just get one drink of this precious commodity!
This morning as I drink my morning cup of coffee, not soda pop anymore, I read Pro 6:21 talking about the principles from the Word of God. “Bind them continually upon your heart, and tie them about your neck”. Immediately I thought about my “gilly-golly”! Oh, if we would let the Word control what we take in as well as what we let out through our words and actions!
Look at verses 22. “When you go, it shall lead you; when you sleep, it shall keep you; and when you awake, it shall talk with you.” It goes on to say that it will instruct us, and keep us from falling into evil, immorality and harm! We have spiritual “gilly-gollies”!
I also realize that as we get older our physical “gilly-gollies” don’t always work as they used to. In widow’s ministry, I have found some have trouble swallowing and need to watch how they eat so they don’t choke. We cannot get relaxed spiritually either. We need to be on our guard watching what we take in through the television, books and the people we are around. And, what words we say need to be full of life, or we shouldn’t let them out!
“Lord, please put your finger on my “gilly-golly” through your Word today! Amen”.
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