In 1978 our older son played for the Yankees. I don’t recall ever missing a game. I was very proud. His uniform is part of our family treasure trove. When we moved to New England we proudly displayed it on the stairway wall. Often I stop and admire it and him. However, this afternoon as the sun was sinking behind our western mountain, I was standing out on the street and to my horror I saw the sun shining brightly through the window illuminating his Yankee shirt to all who drive by. There it was with its big white letters on that field of blue right there in the window. Folks, you have to understand this is Red Sox Country. People drive around New England with nasty bumper stickers reviling the Yankees. No wonder the neighbors rarely speak to me. All this time I thought it was modernity with its busy demands on people’s lives.
Have you ever discovered that you have been offending others by your unintentional behavior? As a teacher I used to respond to students’ questions with “Oh, that’s easy.” What I meant was I can answer that for you. My wife pointed out what I was saying was, “Its easy, stupid. Why did you have to ask?” Needless to say I stopped.
Sometimes I hear people tell of how they witnessed for the Lord. They proudly tell stories of rudely correcting people who they think are not being nice. They refuse gestures of kindness because what is offered doesn’t comply with their dietary restrictions. It is so important for us to see ourselves and our behaviors through other’s eyes. Often it smarts because as Jesus said a two by four is hanging out our eye when we are speaking of another’s speck of sawdust.
Written by Roger Bothwell on February 14, 2012
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org