Letting go of splinters

By Nancy Shuman

Portrait of a Man by Durer (photo credit:
Wikimedia Commons).

It was one of my grown children who helped me see the error of my ways.  Launching into a story about someone I'll call 'Millie'... relating a tale I'd been told by a friend who'd heard from a co-worker who knew for sure because someone had said ... I was stopped mid-sentence.  "Mom," said my son (kindly), "before you say any more, just know that whatever you tell me will make a difference in what I think about 'Millie' from now on."


Well.

Feeling chagrined, I fell silent.  I was stung by the truth of these words.  I could pass along my little bit of gossip, feeling only slightly guilty about doing so, and I would most likely forget it (as it is, I don't remember it now).  But every time my son saw or spoke with 'Millie,' he would carry with him an impression left in the wake of my careless action.  Even though I cannot, today, recall what I was starting to say, I know it was not something positive. 

Oh, I might have tried to be 'nice.'  I probably intended to mention that Millie had a few good qualities, bless her heart.  But was there a good reason to casually mention her actions to my son?  No.  I had no reason to share whatever-it-was.

This happened several years ago, and will I sound dramatic when I say it was life changing?  Probably.  But it was.


Continue reading at Nancy's blog The Breadbox Letters.

Beware of detraction

By Lora Goulet

An Argument from Opposite Premises by Hedley
(Wikimedia Commons).

Misinformation deepens the piercing injuries caused when senseless insults are launched. 

"Cafeteria Catholic~Angry Traditionalist~Modernist~Schismatic!" 

 

How spiritually damaging it is to speak ill of our fellow Catholics, especially when objecting to the many wonderful, colorful, diverse cultural expressions of our immense love for Jesus. Draining us of all peace, healing, loveliness, and dignity, namecalling's choking claws overshadow the miraculous, infinite tranquility, beauty, holiness and love which Jesus suffered and died to plant within our souls.

"Detract not one another my brethren."  James 4:11 (Douay Rheims Roman Catholic Bible).


Lora blogs at mommynovenas.

Real love and the power of words

By Elizabeth Tichvon

St. Paul by Montagna (photo credit: Wikipedia).

Let's encourage each other out of love and out of reverence for Christ. He reads our hearts and those of the ones we hurt, and there's nothing flowery about a broken heart.  Jesus doesn't care how educated, successful or physically attractive we are.  Not one of us is better than another, despite how we choose to perceive this world, which is really upside down and inside out.  So, strive to be nice.  Strive to be nicer.  Strive to be the nicest.  Always.  If not out of love, for Love.  e.

"My son, fix your heart steadfastly in God, and do not fear the judgments of men, where your own conscience witnesses that you are innocent.  It is very good and blessed sometimes to suffer such sayings, and it will not be irksome to a humble heart which trusts more in God than in itself.  People often speak much, yet little faith is to be put in their sayings.  It is not possible to please all men, for, though St. Paul labored as much as he might to please all people in God and did for all men all he could for their salvation, he nevertheless could not prevent himself from being judged by others and despised by them.  And so he committed all to God, who knows all things, and armed himself with patience and humility against all things that could be untruly spoken against him.  Nevertheless, he sometimes answered to the charges, lest, by his silence, hurt or hindrance might have risen for others."

Continue reading at Elizabeth's blog click-elizabeth.