Two Cents…

The other day I had a meeting in Gainesville, Georgia. I arrived early, some 30 minutes early to be exact, and decided to have coffee while I waited. The restaurant is arranged in such a manner that it is difficult to see others seated in booths. My booth nestled up to a group of women – three in all – having a wonderful discussion about the life of someone. I quickly recognized the version and understood painfully, it was mine. I thought of moving but then, it would be awkward to meet eye-to-eye. I thought of leaning around the corner and saying something stupid like, “Peek-A-Boo!” (Seriously, those words popped in my head). But instead, I listened to the juicy details of what these three women perceived to be my life. Occasionally, they got it right. I actually took out pen and paper to jot down a few statements because I hadn’t heard those about me before.

It is an election year and our days are filled with discussions about this candidate and that candidate. As I sat in that booth waiting for my meeting, I resolved myself to speak only about what I liked in the public figures running for office. Realistically, whether we agree with them or not, isn’t it their desire to be a catalyst for change? Why else would anyone pursue the scrutiny of public opinion polls? The road to the White House has very little glamour. We spend too much time discussing what is wrong with people and very little time rejoicing in what is “right.”

Jesus had a very valid point when He explained in Matthew 7:3-5, “³ “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? ⁴ How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? ⁵ You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s.”

As for the ladies in the restaurant spilling the mistakes and failures of my life on the table?… : )

I bought their lunch.