In Need of Repair

July 5

The automatic response of most children when quizzed by their parents as to whom the culprit may be in a household mishap is, “Not me.” When each child has declared his innocence, the only viable contender for the role of perpetrator of the mischief in question seems to be the pet dog.

Just as little kids are quick to attempt to extricate themselves from responsibility for their willful disobedience or their hyperactivity which may result in destruction of property or injury to playmates, so adults attempt to avoid acknowledging their wrong choices or the neglect of assumption of responsibilities that are theirs.

When life seems to throw a curve ball, it’s much more palatable to blame it on happenstance or misfortune or someone else’s failure to act fairly than to step up and say, ‘I made a mistake. I misunderstood the situation and I acted wrongly because of my poor command of the circumstances.’

Ecclesiastes 10:18 says, “Because of laziness the roof caves in. Because of negligent hands the house deteriorates.” Unless we educate ourselves in our areas of responsibility, we will find that our laxity, our very human foibles, will result in not only the disrepair of our spiritual house but the collapse of our very lives.