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'
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