Why Do I Do This?
Theme of the Week: Why Do We Fail Those We Love?
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
 1 of 1
Key Bible Verse: Continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8). Bonus Reading: Colossians 3:19, 21
It's Saturday afternoon and we're trying to decide what to do today. Jackie wants to take some pants for Isabel back to The Gap. It's been bone-chilling cold for a few weeks, but today is a glorious springlike day. So the kids want to get out to the park and play. Task-oriented, analytical Dad recognizes we have no groceries for dinner or the rest of the week, so I authoritatively declare that we must get groceries.
There's nothing wrong with spending part of the day solving a problem. But my tone and body language scream that any plan that doesn't include getting groceries is stupid. My family must be asking, "Why does Dad have to be such a jerk sometimes?"
I wish I could rewind the tape and try again. I'd never act like that at work. If my team wanted to go one direction on a project and I thought we needed to go another, I'd deal with each person involved in the disagreement with respect and diplomacy. I've never yelled at a coworker, been snippy to a grocery store clerk, insulted a neighbor, or made kids at the playground or church nursery cry. So why have I done each of these—and more—to the people I love most dearly?
—Glenn Stanton in My Crazy Imperfect Christian Family
My Response:
In what ways do I treat people at work better than the members of my own family?
Thought to Apply: You always hurt the one you love; the one you shouldn't hurt at all.—Larry Mondello (on Leave It to Beaver)
My Crazy Imperfect Christian Family (NavPress, 2004) by permission. All rights reserved by the copyright holder and/or the publisher.
Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine. Click here for reprint information on Men of Integrity. 1 of 1
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You've called me, Lord, to the demanding discipleship of family. Empower me to worthily represent you there.
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