Fortune cookies & Grace.
Do you like fortune cookies? I once read a fortune cookie that said: "Be tolerant of the shortcomings of others." I taped it to my door.
Intolerance is a form of pride; a form of arrogance.
I am still attempting to practice this. Thank God my life is about progress and not perfection. I need to remember that others’ lives are about progress and not perfection. One thing that I have realized over the years, as I become more aware of my flaws, character defects, and shortcomings, I have become much more tolerant of others. I thank God for this gift. We are all in need of God's grace and acceptance.
In the book Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict, author Esther de Waal says "The humility I am learning to practice may prevent me from laughing quite so easily at other people, or finding things superficial, or being ready so quickly to scorn and criticize. Knowing my limitations I have no right to destroy other people for theirs."
I am finding the more that I am aware of my own limitations the more compassionate I am to others.
Psalm 18 says, "You take the side of the down and out, but the stuck-up you take down a peg." God is good, gracious, merciful and loving--- even to people like me. I need to be conscious of this the next time I am feeling intolerant, and therefore... arrogant.
9 Comments:
Thanks for your post Rick, I thinks alot of times intolerance can be the slippery slope to out right Judging people. I'll share my shallowness with you, I work in a relatively busy emergency department...where your dealing with people and drug additions. Well we had an addict in a couple of weeks ago. He was young and his life and world were a mess. Of course I didn't speak anything verbally, but in my heart...I showed no tolerance...I was the critical finger pointing judge. I saw him as a problem and I had the hard cold answers to stone him with.
But later the next day I was reading where Jesus was telling the story about the banquet. Sending the servant out into the backsreets the alleys, to invite the homeless the wretched. I was so convicted, the Lord just showed me what a graceless servant I was. He's not asking me to judge or to be intolerant. I'm to invite only. Show compassion and understanding...allow Jesus present in me to enter into that persons life...that persons circumstance...that moment in time. I'm asked to do nothing else other than be Jesus.
His grace is the most constant reality in my life...and it is the realty He wants me to pour out extravagantly to others.
I think the trap that I most readily fall into is assuming that everybody else is like me. If I am not tempted by a particular sin, then surely it must not be a very tempting one. If I can resist a sin, then anybody who can't is obviously weaker than I am. I can see mote in your eye so clearly, because I would NEVER walk around with anything that colour in mine.
I find I must constantly remind myself that sin is sin. I am not without sin. And you're right, it's pride.
I've got a hard time posting to your blog every now & again Rick, cause...I usually have to confess what a huge ass I am. Thanks...I think?
I had to read your post twice because the first time I couldn't stop laughing - we add "...between the sheets" to the end of fortunes...
uh hemmm...
Anyway, yes, great post Rick. In my life I can see a direct correlation between my failure and compassion axes.
LOL Just Pat. Intolerance is something even the most tolerant people have to work on. I think all of our lives are a work in progress in that respect. I especially have to remember that when I'm driving. :D
Great post.
That was very well said.
Rachel www.majicfam.blogspot.com
Hi Rick,
I'm not anonymous, I'm Dana Ames and I am blessed by your comments in the blogs. I'm also of Italian descent, interested in much of what you're interested in, and I live up the road in Ukiah. Just wanted to say hi, and there's some of us kindred in norCal.
Dana
ldames at pacific dot net
oh this is so me, others shortcomings when they are able to admit it and own it are so easy for me to be tolerant of. but give me the self righteous, and boy do i want to take them down a peg (maybe two...)
i love the humble struggler, but those who keep that mask on and look down their noses at me, yikes. i must confess (and confess) that i have no love for the pharisee...
love your fortune cookie! our family has a funny tradition - we read 'in the bathroom' after every fortune - 'be tolerant of the shortcomings of others in the bathroom'. we laugh and laugh - the people who own the restaurant think we are nuts... and they're right!
Thanks to all of you for your comments. Why isn't this easy? :) I relate to so many of you and struggle with those who are intolerant-- making me intolerant! I would just like to let this all go and not concern myself, but I struggle. :)
Hi Dana, so happy we found each other! Do you have a blog? Italian? Right on. :)
God's grace and peace,
Rick
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