Some Observation on ‘Tact’.

Tact is not a subject many of us pay attention to. We all think we are all right with it, but are we. I know when I am busy I want things communicated and done, tact takes second place, but that is maybe because I do not understand it. Consider:

Proverbs 15:2 The tongue of the wise uses knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools pours out foolishness.

Did you hear about the husband who was totally clueless? The day his wife left on a business trip their dog died. That night she called home and he blurted out, 'Your dog's dead!' Scolding him for being insensitive she said, 'You should've broken it to me gently. You could have said, ‘the dog's on the roof.' Then next day added, 'He fell off.' The following day you could've said, 'He's at the vet.' And the day after that you could have told me he died.' While her husband paused to consider this she asked, 'By the way, how's my mother?' Cautiously he replied, 'Well dear. . .she's on the roof!'

One dictionary definition of tact is: skill in situations where people's feelings need to be considered. An intuitive sense of what's right or appropriate. Contrary to what you may have been led to believe, tact is not about being deceptive or insincere. It's about being considerate and not hurting others unnecessarily.

Chuck Swindoll writes: 'I used to sell shoes years ago, [and] a seasoned employee told me never to say, 'Lady, your foot's too big for this shoe!' Instead you should say, 'I'm sorry, ma'am, but this shoe's just a little too small for your foot.' Both expressed the facts, but one was an insult, the other a tactful compliment. So, in sensitive situations engage your brain before opening your mouth. Remember,

Proverbs 12:18 Reckless words speaks like the piercing of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health.

Or as a US advertising jingle for a popular antiseptic ointment goes, 'Stop the hurting and start the healing.' Make that your goal today.

These last few weeks I have been trying my best to implement it as much as I can, and do find it difficult; by somehow I think I will always remember it. I hope so, because tack was never a quality of mine. Maybe now I understand it more.