"The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice. A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult.”
So, as I’m sure you can probably already guess, it’s been the week of “the way of a fool” for me. And we’re only just at hump-day as of today. Oy vey.
Well, just about when I thought I had everything under control (ahem) for this holiday season (prepare Him room, check … let nothing ye dismay, check … good will toward men, check), I get a curve ball.
And like “a fool,” I showed my annoyance pretty quickly.
Of course, in this particular scenario, I thought I was right and the other person was wrong. I interpreted what she was saying to me as being passive aggressive and that she was trying to point out my mistakes in a sly, underhanded and insulting way.
But then, after a couple days of crankiness, mental gymnastics and a good night of sleep last night, I woke up with a new perspective. Perhaps a more Holy Spirit-informed perspective.
I saw the situation for what it really was and realized that this individual was merely asking questions about a certain way of doing things and was not insinuating that my way was wrong. She was only inquiring to figure out if she was doing things the “right” way (as compared to my way) and if she should make any changes in her approach to the matter at hand. She is not my enemy and was not trying to “thwart” me or make me look bad.
And that’s when I … wait for it … wised up. And got convicted.
Can I get a hearty “Amen” or a friendly “duh” here?
How foolish do I feel when the Holy Spirit reveals to me how wrong my thinking is and how quick I am to jump to idiotic conclusions?
Thankfully, our God is a God of second chances and mercies that are new every morning. So I know that when I see this person again this week—tomorrow actually—I will have the opportunity to listen to some divine advice, practice prudence and respond in love and kindness.