Getting the Point

By DeeDee

It isn’t difficult for me to stay apprised of all the goings on around here. I boast of that mother’s intuition thing, and also it doesn’t hurt to have a couple of small narcs underfoot. No one has any problem letting me know when someone else has committed an infraction. I suppose because it deflects unwanted attention away from the tattler. And while punishment is dutifully doled out, the more innocent of the other two siblings suddenly morph into golden angels, straightening their halos and answering all questions with soft “yes ma’ams”, or “no ma’ams.”

It’s unnerving.

Thankfully, the siblings don’t harbor any resentment toward one another. And everyone has an equal opportunity to land in trouble. Lately Jensen has even been taking copious mental notes and is getting his fair share of the action. The other day as Cailey was sent to her room for time-out, Jensen trailed behind her, his tiny pointer finger aimed in her general direction, hollering “NO, NO, NO, NO!” All the way down the hall and to her room. Where she promptly shut the door, locking the little brother out. He continued his lecture for a couple of more minutes, then tired, and went looking for someone else to terrorize.

He also has no trouble letting me know if one of the sisters has done something despicable to him, or his beloved cars. With big blue tear filled eyes, he stands tall and accusing, pointing that finger at the offending sibling while letting them have it with a clear “NO, NO, NO, NO!” And furthermore, “NO!”

And he doesn’t limit his judgment to his sisters. He is a self-corrector as well. While working in the kitchen, with my back to him, I heard “NO, NO, NO, NO!” I turned to see who was torturing him, and found him sitting on top of the kitchen table. Looking very guilty. There was no one else in the room.

Since I may very well be raising a future Hall Monitor, I’m going to go ahead and get him a day-glo orange vest and a pocket protector. For his pens. To issue citations.

Why is that we’re so quick to judge others? I’m as guilty as my own children. Is to to deflect attention from my own foibles?

Luke 6:42
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.

This is an ongoing battle that I’ve waged. My quickness to judge, without correcting my own rotten behavior first. I’ve been praying that God helps me to look beyond the outward characteristics, and find a common ground with those I might ordinarily shun. Maybe to learn something important from another perspective.

And keep my own pointer finger trained toward Heaven.

Originally posted July, 2007 at Fiddledeedee.net