Monday, December 26, 2011

Every Family has a Crazy Uncle

It's true... But in this case, the "crazy uncle" also happens to be one of the best people ever! (Funny, selfless, caring, compassionate, wise...)

My Great Uncle Fred, a former military man and current ROTC teacher, imparted some very valuable wisdom to me today that I thought I might share...

The Setup: 
Sitting around after a fantastic lunch made by one of the best ladies in the world, my Nino, Fred and I were discussing the feeling of "always being under the microscope" or never feeling like you can please some people.

His Wisdom:
If you live in a glass house, it's not the stones you should worry about. Your glass is bulletproof. What is really scary is when the manure starts being thrown. Not only does it hide the beauty of your house to others, it changes how you see the outside world as well. Cutting people down and judging others hurts everyone in the process.

What I Think:
His words were so true. In my meager experience, I've decided that people judge for two reasons: they love themselves too much or they hate themselves too much. Either way, cutting others down produces the same "result," which is to make the accuser temporarily feel good. Unfortunately, what we fail to realize is that we not only hurt the other person, we hurt ourselves as well because we rob ourselves of the wisdom and blessings God is trying to bestow upon us through that person.

We also hurt future relationships.  
In the case of the victim, we weaken their ability and desire to trust and love unconditionally. I think every reader has met at least one person who had a really hard time loving others because they had been so hurt in the past.
In the case of the accuser, people who allow themselves to freely judge and mistreat others train themselves to be heart-breakers, morale destroyers, and joy thieves. Of course, this is not what God has called us to be.  For more insight, read and practice James 3.

The Bad News:
I've been on both sides of this predicament, and I find myself often paying the consequences for such behavior.

The Good News:
I am saved by an amazing God who forgives and forgets! The damage I've done and the damage that has been done to me can be forgiven and healed if I just ask.


To sum things up:
I guess today I was given a very loving and timely reminder to speak and act cautiously. It's impossible to predict the extent to which my words affect others. I was also encouraged to remember that whether I'm doing the throwing or it's my glass house that's under attack, Christ can and will wipe it clean because He is good, loving, and full of mercy.


 Some encouraging verses:
"The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!" John 1:29

“Come now, let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." Isaiah 1:18

"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chron. 7:14

"O LORD my God, I cried out to You, And You healed me." Ps. 30:2

"He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions." Ps. 107:20

"He heals the brokenhearted And binds up their wounds." Ps. 147:3
 

Hope this blesses you as much as it has me!


(Disclaimer: Please excuse the informality of this blog, as it is more of a musing...)

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