In a group email a few weeks ago, someone asked about a mutual acquaintance, and I responded to the group with the latest "authoritative" information that I had.
Here is a direct quote from my response - You mentioned _____ and _____. I just heard today from (another mutual acquaintance) that a couple of weeks ago, there was a flooded basement, and so the home they were looking forward to moving into is not available for a while. There is mold, which of course must be taken care of. So, in their first weeks of retirement, everything is in storage, I think they are living with friends (or family)
Today I got an email from the couple we were talking about. He says:
"Hello Thurland. How are you doing? I've been so busy that our computers are still sitting around unpacked. I'm emailing from the local library (which works fine). Regarding the above quote, nothing could be further from the truth! I wonder how these stories are put together! I'm happy to tell you that we are doing very, very fine. We are counting our blessings from the Lord day by day, sometimes hour by hour! It is truly wonderful here, and we've never been happier.
He goes on to tell me some more details, but the point is that my original story was comppletely false. Fortunately, on this one, it doesn't matter a lot. But it is a good lesson. How often do we pass on "facts" that really aren't "facts"? And how much damage might be done by those "non-facts"? Probably a lot more damage than having mold in the basement.
An old Sunday School song comes to mind. O be careful little mouth what you say (2x) For the Father up above is looking down in love. So be careful little mouth what you say."
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