Growing up in Pennsylvania, one of my yearly attractions was Punxsutawney Phil, a groundhog.
According to the legend, Punxsutawney Phil could predict the future. If he sees his shadow and returns to his hole, it means he’s predicted six more weeks of winter-like weather. If Phil doesn’t see his shadow, he’s predicted an early spring.
Monday morning, Phil emerged from his home, but quickly returned to signal cold weather will continue.
I don't know who came up with this story, but it started on February 2, 1887. It’s hard to believe people who’d take advice from some animal, but then, we often believe politicians.
Like politicians, Phil changes his prediction from year to year, making it hard to trust either consistently.
The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, wife Martha, grew up in northern New York. She had no experience with Phil, so I filled her in.
When I explained to her that Phil can predict the weather, she looked at me with one of “those looks,” clearly skeptical about the groundhog’s ability.
She said, “You don't really believe that nonsense, do you?” That put me into a predicament. If I say I did, she's going to think I don't know what I’m talking about. So, I just replied by saying, “I’m just saying what other people are saying. I don't have any clear proof.”
I paused and said,”According to the statistics, Punxsutawney Phil has been right almost 60 percent of the time.”
“Well,” she replied firmly, “this Punxsutawney Phil has been right more times than you?”
There are times in life when you should respond, and times when you shouldn’t. You can guess which one I chose this time, and you can guess why.
Martha said: “Do you think Punxsutawney Phil will see his shadow this year and how much are you willing to bet on it?”
My way out to this was a simple, “I don’t know.”
Giving this some thought, I realized how important lying is. If it weren’t for lying, most people wouldn’t have anything at all to say.
I’ve tried Punxsutawney Phil’s strategy on Martha. Although he can get away with lying, I’ve yet to do so with Martha, which can open the door for some unfortunate times.
I'll take a cue from Phil and hide in a hole before I answer, because sometimes, silence is the way to avoid trouble.
I was reminded what Apostle Peter said along this line.
“For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.”
— 1 Peter 3: 10-11
As a Christian, I have a serious responsibility to “refrain his tongue from evil.” I’m the only one who can control my tongue. If it’s out of control, I’ll suffer tremendously, and have only myself to blame.
Not only will my tongue create evil for me, but also those people around me. I must be aware of the damage I can do to family and friends.
Dr. Snyder is a former pastor who lives with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, wife Martha, in Ocala, Fla. His email is [email protected].
