I guess anyone from about 30 years
on that changes decades becomes reflective.
During my resent musings a sharp memory came back to me. It was a memory of May Day in about
1978. My idea of May Day at that time
was not filled with anarchists demonstrating, but of May poles and giving
flowers anonymously. The latter was what
I attempted this fateful day.
I had
purposed, with the dedication of a six year old, to do something wonderful for
my neighbors. I potted a beautiful poppy
that had been growing wild in a ceramic pot.
With great expectations, I walked my dear poppy over to our neighbor’s
house across the street. I set the pot
down carefully and rang the doorbell. I
had been told that you had to hide so that no one would know who gave the
flowers. So I hid in a bush near by the
house and awaited the squeals of delight I was sure to hear. Instead, I heard the pot get knocked over by
the opening of the door and an old man cursing whoever put it there. Frightened, I was immobilized. I waited until he cleaned it up, remaining
painfully silent the whole time. Then I
ran home. I probably cried. I don’t remember that part clearly.
Why
would I recall such a painful childhood memory on a happy day? I guess it comes as a reminder to me of the
lasting affects a few words may have. My
neighbor could have just been having a bad day and this was the proverbial last
straw. (Actually, if this be so, he was
always running out of straws!) However,
his reaction has stayed with me. This
reminds me that we don’t get a second chance to say and act the right way. We may be forgiven, but the damage has been
done. We always need to be on guard to
be sure that the words we say are not damaging to others. What if this was the nicest man ever, but he
just had a bad moment? I would still
have been very hurt by his words shouted in response to my attempted
kindness.
Unfortunately,
we don’t get “days off”. We always need
to be careful. This is a tall order,
only possible by God’s grace. If we are
more aware of the standards He holds for us…
Do not let any unwholesome talk come
out of your mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to
their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. – Ephensians 4:29
two important things
will happen. One, we will be drawn back
to him frequently throughout our day to ask for help. Two, we will experience humility that we all
need to experience to see our sin and God’s grace. These two things will result in His glory.
What
about the man who left such a lasting impression on that six year old? Well, he died recently in the home of his
gracious ex-wife. He was shown mercy by
many. I hope he received God’s gracious
gift of salvation and that we can celebrate it together in heaven some day.
