Pointing at others, points back to me

Image from justynsmith.com

My blogging friend Mary Lue wrote a very thought provoking post on our shared "Sleeping with Bread" meme this week. Here is an excerpt from this week's theme post...

The bit that I want to bring to our Sleeping with Bread group here is the idea that sometimes we point fingers when we need to be lending a hand--or, in the very likely legitimate circumstance that we can't lend a hand, we at least stop pointing fingers.

Ahh finger pointing. A grade school teacher once said to me,"It's not polite to point - anyhow there are more fingers pointing back at you when you point at someone else!"

This idea came across in another conversation earlier this week too. A group of friends were talking about the things in other people that make them crazy. I listened and began to ponder if the things that we most notice in others that make us crazy are the things that most bother us about ourselves? Maybe those flaws are easier to criticize when our face is not attached to them, but in all reality it ourselves we're really pointing at.

This idea of reflection that is encouraged in the Sleeping with Bread meme is not always an easy process. It requires that I stop, reflect on my days, and sort out the action or inaction points in my life. Thankfully, this process is always wrapped in an atmosphere of grace - but soul searching it still is.

This weeks question of finger pointing makes me want to pause the next time I want to point out a flaw I take notice of in someone else...the question is... will I pause and act in grace instead of judgment. Only time will tell. Until then, I'll keep my pointing fingers safely tucked away in my pockets and be thankful for the unconditional love that I'm on the receiving end of all the time.

May that unconditional love work through me like yeast and raise my life to be filled with more justice, mercy and humility.

Micah 6:8 (New International Version)

8 He has showed you, O man, what is good.
And what does the LORD require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.

Image from blog 'Thoughts on the road'

Comments

Sunny and rainy day friends

There are two kinds of friends in the world: Sunny day friends and rainy day friends. This is a statement that my Mom used to remind me of when I was in the midst of drama or conflict with one school friend of another. There are lots of people that we define as friends, but they are really acquaintances. Two men were out hunting in the northern U.S. Suddenly one yelled and the other looked up to see a grizzly charging them. The first started to frantically put on his tennis shoes and his friend anxiously asked, "What are you doing? Don't you know you can't outrun a grizzly bear?" "I don't have to outrun a grizzly. I just have to outrun you!" This story is funny, but it does help define the distinct difference between a rainy day friend and a sunny day friend. The sunny-day-friend is more concerned with watching out for their own health and wellness, than their friends' wellbeing. On the other hand, a rainy day friend is willing to take risks, work fo

FCE - Dog stroke in spine

Kahlúa is our 15 year old dog that we adopted from the Humane Society when she was four. She joined our family and has been with us for eleven years so far. This morning we found her laying on the carpet in the dining room and was unable to get up and go outside. After letting her rest for a few hours, I gave her some bread to eat and she got up. She was wobbly so I scooped her up and took her outside to go to the bathroom. She managed to remain standing for a few minutes, but was back down quickly. Her back legs did not want to support her even though she was trying to walk. By this point, she had begin to cry so I called the vet and they said to bring her in for an evaluation. My kids and I tearfully wrapped her up in a blanket and drove to the vet. It seemed as if we were sitting in the waiting room forever. The vet told me that her heart, eye function, and lungs were great - also taking into consideration her age of 15! The problem seemed to be FCE - firocartilanginous embolism: w

Gifts we have to give

So often people will think of the areas of life that they fall short or what may need some improvement. I think there is some wisdom in knowing where we need some work as humans, but I also feel it is equally important to learn, foster and use the gifts each one of us are instilled with. So here is the challenge or question that I'd like to present: "What gift(s) has God given to you that can be used in the care and ministry of loving others?" How have you seen that gift used in the past? How would you like to use it? If you dream big and I dream big together - how could God work in that big pool of gifts in the lives of others??? Let's share our gifts today and dream of what they can accomplish for God's purpose! 1 Peter 4:8-10 (New International Version) 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others,

Uphill idealist

Search This Blog