Here’s our impurity. We’re a spring that pours forth both good water and bad. By nature it shouldn’t be. But it is our nature.
That’s why our Ecclesiastical friend advises, Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you—for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others.*
As Miss Piggie would say, “Moi?”
They would criticize moi . . . with my right behavior, exemplary action and pure motive most of the time? Certainly anybody that would possibly find fault with anything I have ever done or said just hasn’t understood me.
Where’s their sense of grace, their sensitivity, their larger perspective, their sense of humor?
They should know I’m like Garrison Keillor’s Norwegian Bachelor Farmers, “pure mostly.”
Or, like Gilbert and Sulivan’s Captain of the Pinafore, who bad language or abuse he does never use!
“Well . . . hardly ever.”
So, of course, I’m appalled when I overhear someone saying even the slightest slight against my mostly pure, mostly good show of actions and words. They should at least assume that I meant well, and even did well, from my perspective which, of course, is the one that is right and true.
Isn’t this so with you too?
People!!!!
Ah, but who can control what others will say? We might as well assume that each of us is part of their conversation, at least at moments, and the grade we’re given isn’t always “A-plus-plus,” even if that’s what we deserve.
We know we haven’t always judged others so high.
So it’s best not to sneak peaks at the report cards or eavesdrop on private conversations.
Best to give some space. Maybe we’ll receive some in return.
__________________
*Ecclesiastes 7:21,22
Next: The Value of Wisdom’s Rebuke. Coming Thursday.
Our Lives Together
Its About Life
10:40 am
Hi Hyatt –
Good points. Ahem, it’s actually the Powder Milk Biscuits that are pure mostly, and this only because they are made by Norwegian bachelor farmers. Of course, this is not a criticism… merely a subtle correction.
11:05 am
Guidelines to live by.
11:19 am
Ouch!
12:35 pm
Let’s see now … if my wife reads this, I’ve gotta have a comeback. As George Costanza would say, “I’m bustin’, Jerry, I’m bustin’!”
3:39 pm
WOW-good advise Hyatt…..and straight from the Scriptures.
THANKS
5:15 pm
Ah, too true!
6:29 am
Thanks, Hyatt! As a person who struggles with a critical tongue, this advice is something I need to be reminded of regularly. Correcting others’ misteaks is a heavy burden that often does not need to be carried (at least not by moi!). Jude 2.
7:57 am
I think it’s selective memory.
7:50 pm
I was just laughing with a friend the other day about the proverb that says, “Even a fool is considered wise when he keeps his mouth shut” The next morning the HS reminded me of that scripture and quickened in my heart that I need to stop talking so much. Ouch! But it was true, I hadn’t been very gracious of my speech. So, good word Hyatt and definitely a confirmation for me.
9:10 am
I hope God never gets tired to hear my many quick prayers when I’m around somone I don’t agree with.
Thank you for these good words,
Ursula
9:37 am
“Take heed what you say of your seniors, though your words be spoken or plain, lest a bird of the air hear the matter, and so ye shall hear it again.”
From the U.S. Naval Academy’s reef points (I had to ask a friend, since I lost my copy about six months in…)
3:15 pm
Sorry this is so late, but I just loved this Hyatt! I am always surprised when I have heard something about myself from someone else that someone else said about me and it was not even close to an A-plus, plus oomment! Hahahaha! It reminds me of the verse, that says we should neither look to the right or the left but keep our eyes on the upward call of our Lord Jesus Christ! Best! Lisa Hoyt