...in quietness and full submission...

I was thinking yesterday that there are probably a lot of good reasons God encourages women to learn to be quiet and to learn in quietness...
(1 Timothy 2:11)

He reminds women of the great and lasting value of the beauty coming from a gentle and quiet spirit...
(1 Peter 3:4)

The context surrounding these gems of truth are rich with direction and instruction, and they have so much to teach me.

And so, one of the reasons for God encouraging women to be quiet occurred to me yesterday while my hands were deep in kitchen sink bubbles and warm water.  Women are pretty good communicators and desire to be understood and heard, which are good things.  I think what I tend to overdo is talk.  Time that could be used to learn from others by listening or to draw others out by asking questions, is sometimes spent instead with aimless chatter, numerous details, or gossip.

My desire is to take to heart God's instruction to learn in quietness and full submission, to be an intentional listener, to realize what God intends when He says to put others ahead of myself, and to apply His Word to my life.  I want to make a difference with love.  I want to use words wisely, not carelessly or with barrels full of regret. 

Do not be quick with your mouth,
   do not be hasty in your heart
   to utter anything before God.
God is in heaven
   and you are on earth,
   so let your words be few. Ecclesiastes 5:1-2