Hey Boney

"Hey honey," or at least that is what I thought it said. I was texting my daughter-in-law about something and started the text out with "Hey Honey." I went on to text her the rest of the message. Only later when I picked up my phone to text her again I noticed that my previous message did not say honey at all...but "Hey BONEY." Now my daughter-in-law knows at least two things about me. Number one, I can't spell worth a hoot. In fact, I have her and my daughter edit this blog before I post it. Number two, she knows that I don't see well without my glasses. I am sure when this message arrived on her phone she took one look at it and thought one of two things....Either mom is not wearing her glasses or she is making fun of my pregnant state. Of course the the statement prior is the true one. It seems that this happens to me all the time. I have been known to write messages like, "I love you poodles and poodles." Of course I thought it said oodles and oodles. My last mix up was not one I wrote, but one I read. It came from Kristin, that same boney daughter-in-law. I read, "Only the LORD got me this fart." I laughed out loud, but had no idea what she was trying to say. Well, that was until I put my glasses on. She really wrote, "Only the LORD got me this far!" Aw the "t" was really an exclamation mark. Jeepers! I think I need more than my eyes checked. While I laugh at my own disability I wonder how many times I have made this same mistake concerning other things. You see everyone of us brings to the table a set of ideas, perspectives, and opinions. Unfortunately however, many times those things can be out of focus just a bit. Leaving us to read another person's words or actions through a distorted lens. Oh we think we are accurate in what we see but like a person who has never worn glasses, we believe our vision is 20/20. We might all be surprised at how much clearer things become when we choose to wear some corrective lenses. There was a time in my own life when I judged people according to who I was. Talk about being SELF-centered. It wasn't until God took me through a few opportunities to get close to people who were a lot like me that I began to learn this was not what God had intended when He spoke of discernment. You see many times those people who I loved to "jaw" with about how others were so wrong were the very people who started judging me. According to "them" of course. While a painful experience, I wouldn't trade it for the world. It taught me that I NEVER see the entire picture. Never. I see glimpses of people by what they do, but don't really understand all of the underlying chaos they might be living in. Don't believe for one minute that I am cured from all critical judgment. I am sad to say I am not. There are times when my feet seem to slip off the Rock into the deep cold water of criticism. However, I have given Jesus permission to reach down deep and drag my behind out of a place I freely jumped. Usually these "draggings" consist of a time of feeling soaked to the bone with conviction about my behavior. While I don't use "The Message" as a translation of the Bible I study with, I do love how it interprets Matthew 7:1-5

1 "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults - unless, of course, you want the same treatment. 2 That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. 3 It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. 4 Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? 5 It's this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.

Let's agree that in the morning before our feet hit the floor that our hearts hit the cross. Remembering that Christ died because not a one of us are perfect. I love you all and am glad we are walking together through life.

Blessed to be His,

Kim!