Good morning, everyone.
Our verse for today comes from Acts 11:2, “So when Peter went up to Jerusalem, the circumcised believers criticized him.”
Benjamin Franklin said, “Any fool can criticize, condemn and complain, and most fools do.” Another has said, “Whatever you do, good or bad, someone will always have something negative to say.” And Aristotle said, “Criticism is something we can avoid easily by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing.” We were at a fast food restaurant Saturday for breakfast, and coming in to sit near us was a lady who must have been in her eighties. After the server brought her food, she requested a few other items which the worker acknowledged as she headed back to the counter. Evidently, the elderly woman did not hear her response and, after several moments, got up from her seat and grumbled to us that she had to go back and get what she needed. But before she turned the corner, she was met by the young girl bringing her items. Sadly, that woman reminded me of some I know and have known, who feel it quite natural and necessary to complain to a total stranger about the extra effort required to get a cup of water and some salt. The option of considering the situation from the other’s point of view, or the relative irrelevance and pointlessness of airing her griefs for all to bear was probably a part of her personality that was lost long ago, if it was ever there. God help us, we are so innately inclined to complain and criticize about the most trifle of things and for the most selfish of reasons.
Our preference is the most important, and we too often cannot stop ourselves from thinking it, feeling it, and sharing it. If we lost ten minutes over someone’s blunder or mistake, we respond as if those ten minutes cost us from saving the world or curing corona. And forget about suffering in silence for the greater good of others. Regardless of the intents of the supposed culprits, we feel compelled to share our justifiable beef to make sure others know we have a different, and quite frankly, more important opinion than theirs. It takes effort to find God’s pleasure and purpose in the acts of others that go another way from ours. But in His kingdom, that is our place. Not the seat of criticism, not the ways of the world, and not the ego or bitterness of a sour heart. No, not in His kingdom.
As we seek Him today, can the approaching season of giving thanks and gifts reshape your heart and soul to be full of joy and contentment, no matter what others say and do?
Have a delightful Tuesday.
#4 Rich Holt
Dad of Ripken, Koy, TrishaJean, Samantha, Kakie Holiday and Raleigh
Happy is the man who has his quiver full of them.
