It was the most pleasant petting zoo one could imagine. The critters walked right up to you! People, both little and big, loved to come and mingle with the animals. There was a white pot-bellied pig, a sweet shetland pony, and everyone’s favorite, a terrapin named Lucky.
One day, as the story goes, Lucky’s good fortune ran out. A three-year-old, gone rogue from his mom, slapped the mild-mannered turtle on the top of his shell–over and over. Lucky’s head went inside, not to be seen again for an hour. Finally, a gentle zoo keeper coaxed the traumatized little guy to stick his neck out for a bite-sized tomato.
The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction.
Proverbs 16:21 (NIV)
Have you ever been in Lucky’s shoes–I mean shell? Twice, in the past three weeks, someone told me, almost bragging: “I have no filter. I say what I think and people just have to deal with it!”
Turtle Slapper🐢👋
Whoever derides their neighbor has no sense, but the one who has understanding holds their tongue.
Proverbs 11:12 (NIV)
Kind reader, let’s both be like that gentle zoo keeper–coaxing others out of their shell with a bite-sized snack. Because, as my cheerful grandmother used to say, “Only happy birds sing.”
Now I’m mixing metaphors.🙃
Thank you for reading. 🙏❤️ prayers and love.
Davids Daily Dose 
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