I hate being wrong

I'm not talking about getting Babe Ruth's lifetime batting average wrong. Who can remember all that detail?

I mean when I am caught being a jerk.  When I am devoid of compassion.  When I say stupid things.  When I have failed to show the love that lies within me.  When I am tight fisted; even more so when my heart is made of stone.

I hate it when it takes me only seconds to realize that I have done it again.  I have brought sadness and hurt into someone's life.  I have wounded another or bought into my own jealousy or envy. I have gleefully accepted the benefits of a system which unfairly cheats another - and claimed no responsibility. You want to know what I really hate it? I really hate it when someone else calls me on it.  I really hate being a public sinner.

I want to run from that awful feeling so I often compound the whole mess by trying to justify my actions, mitigate the impact of my words, pretend that I had the best intentions.  I have a closet full of excuses:  I was tired, I wasn't feeling well, the other person was nasty, they behaved badly, I owed them nothing.  They are, however, only excuses.

The reason I fall into this pit is singular.  I am afraid and fear makes us stupid (and blind and deaf too I think). It paralyzes us.  We can no longer think straight, and we certainly can't hear the voice of Jesus nor feel the prompting of the Holy Spirit.

Then it isolates us.  When fear is in control, we cannot form real community.  Community requires an enormous share of giving:  giving of ourselves but also giving others the space to live equally blessed lives.

Perhaps you have experienced this as well and recognize that dark, lonely place where you are afraid that this horrible moment of sin is all that you have to give in this world.  You will always be defined by it.  It will always control you.  You are no better than this ....this....person!

I think that son who ran off with half his father's money and then had to come home groveling for forgiveness and mercy felt much the same way.  Yet, much to his surprise, his father was there, waiting for him, rejoicing at his return, celebrating with all.  (Luke 15)

Jesus stands in the road watching and waiting for us to turn around, to leave our stupidity behind and trust in his mercy and love.  On those days when I am dead wrong, it is only the love of God that can call me to life.  Welcome home, brother, we've missed you.

The Well of Resentment

The first frame of the comic strip would picture a woman (who on most days was a joyous mother and wife) seated at the bottom of a well.  She called it her 'Well of Resentment.'  No one could reach her to pull her out; she needed to stand up and let go of the resentment which kept her isolated and angry.

In the parable of the Prodigal Son, the Elder Brother has his own Well of Resentment.  If he refuses to stand up and leave the anger and resentment behind he's going to miss the party.  The Father invites him.  Which way will he turn?  To the Father or into himself?

It's about the money

He ran away from home and took his share of the family fortune.  Perhaps there was a scene where he said, "I want what is mine, and I want it today" to the shock of all who heard.

This younger son made several miscalculations regarding the family fortune.  First, without a family no amount of money would be enough.  Second, strangers were much less likely to be helpful in an emergency than he expected.  Third, emergencies always happen.

And fourth, the largest miscalculation of all: the real family treasure was the Father whom he rejected.  How blessed he was that when he huffed and puffed and tore out of the house to find his future, his Father remained rooted.  One day the Father would be there to welcome the wayward one home again.

So your Father in heaven waits for you.