I haven’t been neglecting my prayer diary, although I’ve been a little lax about posting. I wrote a piece about the gas attendant, who a couple of days ago told me, “Watch your step; if you fall, you will be dead in an instant.” I was planning to post it here, until I figured that it fit better on my acottagebythesea.net blog.
But here, where I talk as a person of prayer and faith, I want to respond some more to that comment. Whoa, just think about it! Telling someone they will be struck down dead by a little missed step, a little mistake, taking a little miss. I am reminded of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. They held back some of their money, and were struck dead. I’ve always felt that penalty was a little harsh. Slipping off a curb definitely isn’t in the same category.
Regarding the comment itself, I don’t believe that it had any intrinsic power nor was it a sign of the future evens; I never felt in any danger of falling. But it’s negativity did pull me up short, changing my mood for a moment, until I looked around in gratitude at God’s autumn wonder.
On a personal learning level, the situation reminded me to be careful with my own words; to be full of care for the person receiving them. It’s something to pray about, for I am aware that at times my comments are more blunt than a situation warrants. Maybe I can say that the attendant showed me the log in my own eye.
Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Matthew 7.3
But here, where I talk as a person of prayer and faith, I want to respond some more to that comment. Whoa, just think about it! Telling someone they will be struck down dead by a little missed step, a little mistake, taking a little miss. I am reminded of Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. They held back some of their money, and were struck dead. I’ve always felt that penalty was a little harsh. Slipping off a curb definitely isn’t in the same category.
Regarding the comment itself, I don’t believe that it had any intrinsic power nor was it a sign of the future evens; I never felt in any danger of falling. But it’s negativity did pull me up short, changing my mood for a moment, until I looked around in gratitude at God’s autumn wonder.
On a personal learning level, the situation reminded me to be careful with my own words; to be full of care for the person receiving them. It’s something to pray about, for I am aware that at times my comments are more blunt than a situation warrants. Maybe I can say that the attendant showed me the log in my own eye.
Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Matthew 7.3
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