When President Gerald Ford was in office, he was on one occasion visited in the White House by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip. When the Ford’s son, Jack, was dressing for a formal dinner with the queen and prince, he couldn’t find the studs for his shirt so he rushed into his father’s bedroom to see if he could borrow some.

He ran into the elevator with his shirt unbuttoned and hanging out and his hair disheveled—too late to discover that somebody else was already in the elevator. It was his parents with their guests, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.

Mrs. Ford, feeling awkward, introduced Jack to their distinguished visitors. Sensing Mrs. Ford’s embarrassment, the queen remarked sympathetically, “I have one just like that!”

I used to have one at home something like that too. In time, I learned to keep his door closed and my mouth shut! Sometimes it’s what we don’t say that can say the most and be the most tactful.

Tact and kindness are great gifts to use every day. Indeed, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.”

Suggested prayer: “Dear God, please help me to guard my tongue and learn to say the right thing at the right time, for the right reason, in the right way, with the right motive. Help me, too, to know when to seal my lips and keep my mouth shut. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus’ name, amen.”

1. Proverbs 25:11 (NKJV).