March 2004
"TEND YOUR OWN GARDEN"
Quite regularly I read the "Dear Abby" newspaper column. The other day
there was, what I thought to be, a very interesting letter from a Methodist
Church member.
"Dear Abby: . . .We live in a small, rural area and most of our
congregation are simple, modest folk."
Living in a neighboring town is a husband and wife, from our church, who
live "in a very pretentious, affluent neighborhood. They drive an expensive
SUV and are extravagant in everything they do. Their children misbehave
often, and the whole family acts like they're better than everyone else.
They are all spoiled, lacking in discipline and seem to have behavior or
emotional problems. Despite their bravado, they don't realize that
everybody can see through them."
"Maybe if you remind these individuals that God can see them, whether they
are in church or not, they'll know they aren't fooling anyone.
Miserable Methodist
in New York"
"Dear Miserable Methodist: God can see you, too. And he has asked me to
relay this message: 'Happy are they who tend to their own gardens and waste
not their time complaining about their neighbor's shortcomings.'"
I think you should be given an A+ on this response, Dear Abby!
In the latter part of the greatest sermon ever preached, the Preacher
(Jesus) dealt with this business of us judging others.
From the "Good News Bible, Today's English Version", this is what was
preached. "Why, then do you look at the speck in your brother's (sister's)
eye and pay no attention to the log in your own eye? How dare you say to
your brother (sister), 'Please, let me take the speck out of your eye', when
you have a log on your own eye? You hypocrite! First take the log out of
your own eye, and then you will be able to see clearly to take the speck out
of your brother's (sister's) eye." Matthew 7:3-5.
The lesson for me in all this? I best let God take care of the log(s) in my
own eye. The specks in other's eyes, I'll let Him take care of.
What lesson do you learn from this?
Me thinks that this is a good lesson for this Lenten season, and beyond.
your friend and Pastor, John
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