Tend
To Your Own Knittin’
Tails from the Farm
Luke
6:41-43 Why do
you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to
the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, 'Brother, let me
take the speck out of your eye,' when you yourself fail to see the plank in
your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your eye, and then you
will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye.
There’s
a certain thing I say to our children when they don’t want to mind their
own business. With eight different personalities, you can imagine how
often one would like to be the boss of someone else! We often wear shirts
that have our logo on them, and each child’s name is on their
shirt. So, when someone is getting bossy or nosey with another one, I
say, “Whose name on your shirt?” Of course, it’s their
own. (Since today was an exceptionally award-winning day for the
bossy-challenged, they came to the conclusion that Mommy’s shirt has everyone’s
name on it, since I am managing the “bosses!”)
It’s
human nature to point the finger at our brother and not realize that three
fingers are pointing back at us! I think Jesus knew the tendency we have
and tried to get us back in line. Some people spend so much time trying
to fix everyone else that they have no idea if their own bed is made! I
often say to the kids, “Your hands are full with taking care of
yourself.” I especially find this to be true in marriage.
Most problems start out really little and could be walked through if each
spouse worked on the weaknesses they themselves need to bring into line.
Jesus
did say that we can help others, eventually, with the “speck in their
eye.” He is not negating that we should care for and support other
people. But, first things first. Let your life be an example
of humility and meekness in front of those you love. Be willing to
take correction from God and be willing to be personally responsible. Tend
to your own knittin,’ and let God take care of the rest!
Jennifer
Biblical Meditation: Luke 14:11 For everyone who exalts
himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.