I know you are unaware of how easily your voices carried over to my booth because if you were, I seriously doubt you would have said the things you did.

I feel as if I need to thank you, but not for what you said. No, what you said deserves no thanks or applause.

The conversation you had was loud and, therefore, it was a very public conversation. It took no effort on my part to hear you talk about the church you attend. From the music to the Sunday School teacher to the Pastor, you had a reason to complain. And yes, I heard your long list of reasons for the complaints; reasons that were saturated in personal preferences instead of Biblical standard.

It wasn’t just the church you had issues with; no, it was your mutual friend as well. Harsh judgments rolled from your lips concerning a matter in which, once again, was based on mere personal preference.As I unsuccessfully tried to mind my own business and ignore your words, I realized I would never want to attend your church. Not because of the issues you were so passionately discussing, but simply because you would be there.

Your harsh words turned me away from you; and, as a result, your church as well.

What I do want to thank you for is the opportunity to think about my own words and how they sound to those who hear them.I’m now much more aware how believers are always being watched. Each word and each action will either cause others to desire more of Jesus, or turn them away from Jesus. How many times have I been like you, unaware my words had a larger audience than I thought? How many people have been hurt or negatively impacted by my words? I’m certain they’re countless and I am humbled when I think about it.

So thank you, strangers in the booth next to me, your words opened my eyes and have caused deep repentance and reflection in my heart.

Because our words matter- whether we think they are public or not- we should all add Psalm 141:3 to our daily prayers. “Set a guard over my mouth, LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips.” 

Have you experienced anything like this? Have the words and judgments of Christians turned you away from church?