janbear
12-28-2007, 08:52 AM
Crooked Town
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart. (Pro 21:2)
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Welcome to Crooked Town. It's a friendly sign. My thought is jolted by a woman, now straightening her flowered hat, "Didn't mean to bump you... beg your pardon." There was a distinct absence of kindness in her words, more like a rebuke to the lout I must be from the attentive and sensitive citizen she knows herself to be. Going on her way, she looks back- looking me up and down. "Your shoe is untied."
Poor woman had to straighten her hat again because she bumps into a man with a cigar while pointing out my loose laces. The flowered hat and cigar kind of ignore each other. He puffs out something about her never minding her own business-
The self absorbed muttering renders him temporarily blind and his heel grinds it's mark on my little toe in passing. He looks up. Now at the lout I must be who has intruded into his lonely complaint department, "Mister watch where you're going."
This puffing cigar man must be Frank, because a man with a cast on his arm steps into the fray, "Frank, you're the one who wasn't paying attention, that's the truth. Look, you hurt this poor fellow." I'm glad he cares... the stab in my little toe is the kind that makes your knee jerk and your hand grab, rendering you one leg less than balanced.
But the man with the broken arm really doesn't care. Like a dream of ever worsening disappointments with no attention to me he immediately changes the subject to a boy playing on the curb. He says to Frank, "That kid's going to get hurt. His mother is irresponsible... it's the truth." Frank says, "Well, you got that right."
Now I'm beginning to see- everyone in Crooked Town is either bruised or injured. "Hey kid, do you see this cast on my arm. It's crooked- and it hurts. My doctor was too busy complaining about his nurse (your clumsy mother) and he set it crooked." The kid wipes his nose with the back of his dirty hand and starts to complain.
The critically crooked armed man tells the kid to be quiet, "It's the truth. You don't know what you're talking about." He adds insult to injury, "...and your mommy doesn't care for you." The child looks away, and mutters, "You're mean... that's the truth..."
I'm losing my direction and there are quarrels everywhere. They keep using the same argument: "Well, it's the truth." It's hard to believe how blind they are to their own crooked ways. But it's fascinating to watch. Suddenly, I slip off the curb and sprain my ankle.
Stupid people. First my toe, now this. I sit down with a throbbing ankle swelling it's complaint. Dumb sign should have said, Beware Crooked Town..
A peaceful Man who I never noticed is there, "Don't say that."
Well, they don't look where they're going.
"Yes, I know."
They blame everyone, but themselves.
"Yes, I know."
They hurt each other, and they're selfish. Someone could get killed.
"Yes... I know."
I notice a scar in the palm of his hand. My ankle still hurts but somehow I'm comforted.
But they are hurtful people, isn't that the truth?
"It's not the truth." He assures me. "A straight line is true. A friend that stays with you through hard times is true. What you say is 'the truth', is really their error."
I want out of this place.
"I don't blame you... But it is better if we get Crooked Town out of you. I am the way, and the truth, and the life. Come, follow Me."
Lord Jesus, You are true. Help free me from picking at other people's error, and free me from my own. Help me to love with Your love those who step on my toes, and to forgive people when I'm hurt.
Grant me grace to look to You, and to follow You- to share in Your suffering, for the joy of knowing You and sharing Your love that never ends. Amen.
Today's very great and precious promise
Jesus said "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (from John 14:6)
We have God's Word on it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good News
www.dailygrace.org
Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the heart. (Pro 21:2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to Crooked Town. It's a friendly sign. My thought is jolted by a woman, now straightening her flowered hat, "Didn't mean to bump you... beg your pardon." There was a distinct absence of kindness in her words, more like a rebuke to the lout I must be from the attentive and sensitive citizen she knows herself to be. Going on her way, she looks back- looking me up and down. "Your shoe is untied."
Poor woman had to straighten her hat again because she bumps into a man with a cigar while pointing out my loose laces. The flowered hat and cigar kind of ignore each other. He puffs out something about her never minding her own business-
The self absorbed muttering renders him temporarily blind and his heel grinds it's mark on my little toe in passing. He looks up. Now at the lout I must be who has intruded into his lonely complaint department, "Mister watch where you're going."
This puffing cigar man must be Frank, because a man with a cast on his arm steps into the fray, "Frank, you're the one who wasn't paying attention, that's the truth. Look, you hurt this poor fellow." I'm glad he cares... the stab in my little toe is the kind that makes your knee jerk and your hand grab, rendering you one leg less than balanced.
But the man with the broken arm really doesn't care. Like a dream of ever worsening disappointments with no attention to me he immediately changes the subject to a boy playing on the curb. He says to Frank, "That kid's going to get hurt. His mother is irresponsible... it's the truth." Frank says, "Well, you got that right."
Now I'm beginning to see- everyone in Crooked Town is either bruised or injured. "Hey kid, do you see this cast on my arm. It's crooked- and it hurts. My doctor was too busy complaining about his nurse (your clumsy mother) and he set it crooked." The kid wipes his nose with the back of his dirty hand and starts to complain.
The critically crooked armed man tells the kid to be quiet, "It's the truth. You don't know what you're talking about." He adds insult to injury, "...and your mommy doesn't care for you." The child looks away, and mutters, "You're mean... that's the truth..."
I'm losing my direction and there are quarrels everywhere. They keep using the same argument: "Well, it's the truth." It's hard to believe how blind they are to their own crooked ways. But it's fascinating to watch. Suddenly, I slip off the curb and sprain my ankle.
Stupid people. First my toe, now this. I sit down with a throbbing ankle swelling it's complaint. Dumb sign should have said, Beware Crooked Town..
A peaceful Man who I never noticed is there, "Don't say that."
Well, they don't look where they're going.
"Yes, I know."
They blame everyone, but themselves.
"Yes, I know."
They hurt each other, and they're selfish. Someone could get killed.
"Yes... I know."
I notice a scar in the palm of his hand. My ankle still hurts but somehow I'm comforted.
But they are hurtful people, isn't that the truth?
"It's not the truth." He assures me. "A straight line is true. A friend that stays with you through hard times is true. What you say is 'the truth', is really their error."
I want out of this place.
"I don't blame you... But it is better if we get Crooked Town out of you. I am the way, and the truth, and the life. Come, follow Me."
Lord Jesus, You are true. Help free me from picking at other people's error, and free me from my own. Help me to love with Your love those who step on my toes, and to forgive people when I'm hurt.
Grant me grace to look to You, and to follow You- to share in Your suffering, for the joy of knowing You and sharing Your love that never ends. Amen.
Today's very great and precious promise
Jesus said "I am the way, and the truth, and the life" (from John 14:6)
We have God's Word on it.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Good News
www.dailygrace.org