Proverbs 6:16-19 (New Living Translation)
There are six things that the Lord hates — no, seven things he detests: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that kill the innocent, a heart that plots evil, feet that race to do wrong, a false witness who pours out lies, a person who sows discord in a family.

There’s a children’s song that, once I hear it, is stuck in my head for hours. There are about eight verses, all along along these lines:

Oh, be careful little eyes what you see. Oh, be careful little eyes what you see. For the Father up above is looking down with love. So, be careful little eyes what you see.

Oh, be careful little hands what you do. Oh, be careful little hands what you do. For the Father up above is looking down with love. So, be careful little hands what you do.

Oh, be careful little mouth what you say. Oh, be careful little mouth what you say. For the Father up above is looking down with love. So, be careful little mouth what you say.

(And little feet… little ears… little minds… and on and on and on…)

Our scripture passage for today from Proverbs is about eyes that look disdainfully at those around us, mouths that speak words they shouldn’t, hands that do what they ought not, feet that take us in unhealthy directions, hearts and minds that focus on the wrong things. Each of these are actions that involve decisions and choices.

Be careful, God tells us. Because these things matter.

Consider an alternative to our cautionary scripture: eyes that look with compassion at the world and its peoples, mouths that speak words of healing, hands that reach out to the lost and hurting, feet that take us into the world with love, and hearts and minds focused on God.

Oh, be careful little hearts who you trust. Oh, be careful little hearts who you trust. For the Father up above is looking down with love. So, be careful little hearts who you trust.

“Oh Lord, you alone are my hope. I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood” (Psalm 71:5).

Questions:
What song do you remember singing in childhood that has stuck with you over the years?

* If you would like to see a cute version of this song online, click here. Warning, though: you won’t be able to get it out of your head all day!