Example
Fleta R. Robinson

She was young and attractive, but looked so very stressed. Two tiny ones were in the cart with the groceries – an infant, and a just-learning-to-talk little boy.

"Where’s the keys," she snapped, "Where’s the keys?" She frantically jerked full grocery bags around. "What did you do with the keys, weirdo?" she yelled. Instantly she found them, and the tiny little boy began practicing a new word, "wee-doe," he said, "wee-do," as she rushed the cart to the car.

• As I saw this brief episode at the grocery store door, I knew (or thought I did) several things:
• She was probably under pressure from another adult.
• She was late – tired – frustrated – angry.
• She was unkind with verbal abuse, in both tone and words, to one too tiny to be responsible for car keys.
• Perhaps she was a baby sitter rather than a mother.
• Perhaps a tired, hungry young husband, not yet aware of the energy-draining side of motherhood, was hurrying home for a supper not yet prepared.

  And – perhaps none of the above!

  Judgmental? Me?? Evidently.

  The incident hit me with an awareness of the importance of a verse from the Bible I learned as a child:

  ". . . be thou an example of the believers, in word,
  in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."^*

  The little one heard "weirdo" so that’s what he may learn to say to others. That is an example he saw today.

  Is it possible that when I have "weirdo" moments I sometimes accuse (at least mentally) others rather than recognizing my own stress and failings? No doubt about it.

  Does it happen to you, too? Maybe so. Let’s received strength, courage, and forgiveness from our loving Lord.

  I don’t know this young woman, but God does. He loves her, and prompted me to pray for her, and those two precious babies. (Would you join me?) While we are doing so, let’s tuck others in that also need God’s touch.

  If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins
  and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

  I John 1:9 (NKJ)

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