Spiritual Lessons from a 4-Year Old

This post is a confession of sorts. And yes I do plan on asking forgiveness from the appropriate person later on today. But first, a little musing to help soothe my weary, sinful soul.

Humility comes in all sorts of packages. Believe me, as a person who habitually thinks that I know it all, I do know this. My humble pie came yesterday in the form of a memory of a precious 4-Year old who is literally out saving the world on assignment with her parents. Upon her most recent visit to our home, Emma's parents told a story that displays the spiritual wisdom of this beloved little girl.

You see, Emma and her younger sister had a friend over to play. When her parents walked back into the living room to monitor the progress of said play, they noticed that little Miss E was sitting quietly on the couch while the other two enjoyed a joyous ride around the room on their tricylces. When questioned why she was sitting out, she simply replied, "There are two tricycles and three children. I am choosing to keep the peace."

Now on to my experience yesterday - I will spare you the details and just include the nitty gritty. Basically because of a misunderstanding, I felt that an effort on my part to spend time in community with fellow believers was attacked on the basis that I was only allowed to invite people over to my home who are actually in my Sunday School class. I, obviously, was attempting to do the Lord's work and was therefore justified to defend my position, which I most certainly did.

Upon returning home from the "altercation," being the good Christian that I am, I decided to look in Scripture to see how I best should handle my "righteous indignation." And what did I find (this really isn't fair because you can see what is coming already)?

I am literally a fool. If you don't believe me, here is a sampling of what God chose to share the with me regarding my behavior and the attitude of my heart (ouch, yet again).

• A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger (Pr. 15:1).
• A hot tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel (Pr. 15:18).
• Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out (Pr. 17:14).
• It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel (Pr. 20:3)
• Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments, because you know they produce quarrels. And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful (2 Tim. 2:23-24)
• All of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble (1 Pet. 3:6).
• Whoever spreads slander is a fool (Pr. 10:18b).
• Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another.
• Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Col. 3:13).
• Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you (Eph. 4:32).
• A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult (Pr. 12:16).
• A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense (Pr. 19:11).

Really? Are you kidding me? No justification for my actions? How can I not be right? I am always right, right? How can I have missed it by so much?

And then the memory of sweet Emma washes over me, and I am again reminded of the scripture that she allowed to decide her behavior:

• If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone (Rom. 12:17-18).
• Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. (Rom 14:19)

Then my heart was softened and yet again I was reminded of my need for Jesus and His righteousness. I was taken humbly to the cross and reminded to deny myself through the truth of His Word and the actions of one of His precious ones.

In the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, "Self-denial means knowing only Christ, and no longer oneself. It means seeing only Christ, who goes ahead of us, and no longer the path that is too difficult for us. Again, self-denial is saying only: He goes ahead of us; hold fast to him."

Lord, may my eyes remain fixed upon You and in You find the strength to deny myself that tricycle ride and keep the peace.