Snark is a word that rose in popularity a few years ago. And I’ll admit, I’m a huge fan. Slightly sarcastic seems to be my go-to brand of humor. I come from a long line of teasers so drifting over into snarkiness comes naturally.
Just to clarify, snark is “officially” defined as an attitude or expression of mocking irreverence and sarcasm.
I venture to suggest that healthy snark can be wielded with purpose and used to bond relationships. Binge watching The Office and Parks and Recreation with my teenagers has stoked the fires of our collective genetic ability to snark with the best. Jim Halpert is our Yoda in this department. I mean come on, just look at that face. 
But. And it’s a big but.
Words can be weapons and the biting, sharp edge of snark can cut a heart wide open with only the slightest pivot.
Unfortunately, I know this to be true from years of experience.
As SLPs we know better than most the power of the spoken word. We know the place in the brain where words originate, the nerves that innervate the muscles to say them, the physics of the sound that carries them. We understand that meaning and purpose exists within the language that flows through the air between people.
We have all the knowledge needed to speak with perfection.
And yet why don’t we?
The closest answer I can find is in this encouraging narrative from Paul. Before reading it, think of a specific issue where controlling your tongue eludes you. For me, its a too snarky, snappy tone. Now read the passage with your issue in mind. I hope you feel grace settle into your bones like I do.
It happens so regularly that it’s predictable. The moment I decide to do good, sin is there to trip me up. I truly delight in God’s commands, but it’s pretty obvious that not all of me joins in that delight. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge. I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question? The answer, thank God, is that Jesus Christ can and does. He acted to set things right in this life of contradictions where I want to serve God with all my heart and mind, but am pulled by the influence of sin to do something totally different.
This completely explains why none of the tricks work. Not biting the tongue. Not positive intentions or sheer willpower. Parts of me covertly rebel, and just when I least expect it, they take charge.
On our own, we snap and shout and snark with an uncontrolled tongue. It happens so regularly that it’s predictable.
There’s only one thing I’ve found that deliver positive outcomes in mastery over the words that exit my mouth.
To speak life consistently requires a daily submission to The One who controls my heart.
Last week was Thanksgiving and all my best loves gathered under our roof for a few days. I knew the together time with family would test my tongue in all the tired and predictable ways.
So in preparation, I went to my knees in prayer before their arrival. I surrendered to his control over my speech and language. Dusting off my executive functions, I tried to predict and plan and visualize how God wanted me to communicate with my family.
I asked Him to remind me of who I am, then committed to cooperating with Him as I spoke. And I’m grateful to report we did a pretty good job keeping the snark-o-meter in the safe zone.
Christ sets things right in this life of contradictions where we serve him. What an amazing gift.
What are some ways you find your speech and language skills to be contradictory?
and get A Blessing for the Speech Pathologist,
a free printable to
help you remember your WHY
