Speck versus Plank

Mary’s Monday Musings to Quilt Encouragement

Specks Versus Planks

 

One Monday, I phoned the eye doctor’s office the minute it opened. Something was bothering my eye, providing powerful  motivation to see the eye Doctor as soon as possible. It turned out to be irritation from a speck that didn’t belong there. I couldn’t see it, but the Doctors powerful magnifying glasses could. An eye wash followed by soothing  salve, and I no longer needed to squint or close that eye.

 

It is much easier to look at someone else’s life and see where an attitude, an action, or lack of action is causing a problem than it is to see ourselves with clarity. Luke 6:4- 42 “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 yourself fail to see the plank in your own eye?…” I called the eye doctor for help, he didn’t initiate the visit. It’s better to wait until we are asked for help before we point out the speck in someone’s eye, even if we can see plainly the  reason for their difficulty. When I see the speck that is making someone miserable, my best response is first to pray and tell God I need him to show me where I have a plank in my own life; and then, in a spirit of humility, ask what is the best way and time for me to apply soothing salve to the person’s attitudes or actions.  Criticism doesn’t bring change. Love does.