Who Wants to be a Fool?

I don’t know anyone who would rush to raise their hand. In fact, fools often think their identity is hidden when it’s really on full display.

Here’s a big clue: A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back (Proverbs 29:11 NKJV). You could say a fool has a short fuse, but a more accurate description might be they lack self-control.

Can a fool ever appear wise? According to Proverbs, the answer is yes, but I wonder how often that happens? King Solomon’s observation was this: Even a fool is counted wise when he holds his peace; when he shuts his lips, he is considered perceptive (Proverbs 17:28 NKJV). 

Though we communicate with words, they’re not always spoken. Our modern world floods us with written words, as well.

Would I like to return to a pre-internet world? No, thanks. I appreciate my handy cell phone and laptop communication. How about you?

Faceless communication can be a boon or a barrier. In its early stage, telephones were set up on party lines. People would get upset when they knew people were listening in on their conversations.

I’d say modern internet communication might be an advanced version of those old party lines with a new twist. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, to name a few, let us connect with others, but now we not only expect people to listen in, we want them to.

There is one problem, however, that can’t be ignored. Too many people jump to conclusions, belt off a negative wordy reply, then pat themselves on the back. “I really let them have it!” Like Solomon says, “a fool rages and is self-confident” (Proverbs 14:16 NKJV).

Just remember he who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city (Proverbs 16:32 NKJV).  

 Who wants to be a fool? Don’t raise your hand. I won’t either. I want to use my words to build people up, not tear them down. To quote mom’s adage: “If you can’t say anything good, don’t say it.”

No Need to Wait

Fall has arrived. Once again trees have turned orange, yellow, and red while summer breezes are turning into winter winds.

While shopping for groceries this week, I saw sales on traditional items for Thanksgiving dinner. I heard there was to be a shortage of turkeys this year, but you wouldn’t know it by the stores I was in. I do know that turkey on Thanksgiving Day is a family tradition for many.

Being thankful is a healthy choice. I grew up knowing a merry heart is good medicine (Proverbs 15:13 KJV). In fact, when I was fighting cancer back in 2007, I would crawl into bed and prepare to sleep by thanking God for ten good things that happened that very day.

I was even thankful for small things that made me smile or gave me a merry heart. Things like the antics of a toddler at the mall, a courteous check-in at the chemo center, or a brief call from a friend.

I’m so glad I didn’t have to keep a list and then wait for Thanksgiving Day.

God invites us to give thanks daily. There is a lovely illustration of this in Psalm 100:4:

• ·     Thanksgiving gets us into His gates
• ·      Then we move into His courts with praise
• ·      And in His Presence we continue to give thanks and bless His holy name

If you need a jumpstart on thankfulness, try meditating on verse 5:

• ·         The LORD is good
• ·         His love endures forever
• ·         His faithfulness continues through all generations

Has He done anything good for you or your family in any of these categories?

I still choose to give thanks for ten things at the end of every day. In scripture, there are many admonitions to praise the Lord, but not many lists. 

God is interested in us as individuals, and reasons to be thankful vary for each of us, hour by hour and day by day.

There’s no need to wait for the fourth Thursday in November. Take advantage of your personal freedom and start giving thanks today!

 

Practice Pays Off

I used to encourage my piano students to practice. Of course, I knew from personal experience that practicing was not a priority. That emphasis came from parents paying for lessons so their children could learn a skill.

In my younger years, mom and I sometimes worked out a compromise. She would do the dishes while I practiced. I didn’t enjoy doing dishes any more than I enjoyed practicing, but in case you’re wondering, I did outgrow my childish preferences. And, yes, I did feel my practice paid off.

Practice is needed for many life skills. For example, lawyers, doctors, and counselors, after years of training, are expected to set up a practice. Dancers, sports figures, cosmetologists, chefs, tailors, and speakers all acquire job skills refined by practice.

Can you think of any area of life that doesn’t require some particular skill or ability?

Practice is personal, but appearances can fool you. Some people appear outwardly compliant while inwardly harboring resentment. They’re thinking when I get to be on my own, I’m not doing this!

Such rebellion is self-centered. Their mindset is it’s going to be my way or the highway. The problem? Rebellion cuts off good stuff in life.

Skills of any kind take practice. Even positive interaction with others is not automatic. Do you care how you approach or respond to others?  

Life could be less stressful if people gave relationships more thought. It requires no skill to float through life on a raft labeled Que Sera, Sera. That whatever will be, will be attitude doesn't mean you'll always have calm waters. 

A better choice would be a kayak labeled The Golden Rule. Then, even in rough waters, your personal choices would make a difference. 

Jesus made the premise quite simple: Treat others the way you want to be treated (Matthew 7:12).  

Simple does not mean automatic. What part of your life would you like to see become more positive? What skill is needed?

Whatever you decide, get to work. In time you’ll discover practice pays off.

Keep the Peace

 

It’s a nice slogan, isn’t it? But it comes with questions: Who should keep the peace? How often? With whom? Let’s face it. . . there are no simple answers.  

I still remember a poem written by a little girl in my first-grade class years ago. It said: The sky is blue, the grass is green, and all the people, are different.              

That difference in people, plus a never-ending variety of situations, is what makes peace so elusive.

Some people are perpetual porcupines. You can’t be near them without getting pricked. I generally get along with people, and I’ve met all kinds. But years ago, I met a man who enjoyed being prickly to the point of exhaustion.

He always seemed on edge, coming up with negative views, and pushing back if you tried to remain positive. I finally gave myself permission to avoid him. It was my final solution, not perfect, but it worked most of the time.

It may be that peace with others comes after making peace with yourself.

I love the analogy of Jesus’ teaching on this subject. He compared criticizing others to looking at a small speck in someone else's eye while ignoring the log in our own (Matthew 7:1-5 NLT). 

The basic concept is beware! You will be judged by the standard you use to judge others.

We are to deal with ourselves first. After clearing out our problem log, we might have a clearer (less critical) view of that speck of wood in the eyes of others.

Another way to keep the peace is to avoid sharing your initial reaction. Unfortunately, life is not like Wheel of Fortune or Jeopardy where your first response may win you a prize.

In real life, our first response, whether spoken or written, sometimes shuts people down. The result may be regret, with no option for overs at the moment.

Like the little girl said, “All the people are different.” That includes you!

Try to keep the peace for your own sake. Regardless of the outcome, knowing you tried is what really counts.