| JUNE 4, 2012 -- I remember a former pastor telling me that the things I dislike in another person sometimes are the very things I do. I didn’t know what to think. As I remember I thought she was completely wrong. But you know what, I discovered that most of the time it turned out she was right.
Sometimes I discovered I enjoyed hearing things about others—gossip if you will. I even repeated some of the things I heard. The next thing I knew I thought it was terrible for people to enjoy and repeat stories they heard about others. And I was doing it myself!
I was not very happy with myself. It was then that I made up my mind that I would be more understanding of others and less critical. I have not always followed this, but I do try. I try to be of help by not repeating hurtful things. I try to be more positive. Notice the words “try”. I do not always do what I would like to do.
I would encourage everyone to try to be more helpful, especially to our fellow Grangers. Encourage them to do the best they can, to try something new, to do something they feel may be beyond their ability.
It is in Luke 6 verse 41 that we read: “Why do you see the speck in your neighbor’s eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye?” I find it difficult to look at my self to see if there is anything that should be turned over to God to deal with. But I must do that. I also think we all should examine ourselves carefully before we complain about someone else. |
