Sawdust and Planks



Every morning, my husband and I sit across the room from each other with a cup of coffee, our journals and Bibles.  After our "private" thoughts are recorded, we read a page or two from a devotional book or the Bible and (since late January) the 91st Psalm.  Then we pray together.

From my seat this morning, I saw a popcorn kernel and a slip of paper under his recliner.  I pointed it out to him and asked him to pick it up.
< Then I looked down to the left of "MY" recliner and saw this...



                   ...and to the RIGHT of my recliner and saw THIS! >






(Honestly, I cannot bring myself to make these pictures any larger than "small".)
Instantly, I thought of Jesus' words recorded in Matthew 7:3:  
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye 
and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
...You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, 
and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye." (verse 5)
Confession of sin/weakness/need is only as productive
as the change it produces.
I SHOULD have cleaned up my mess before I posted this
so I'd have an "after" picture to post, but I didn't.
It is God who sees my heart and will know whether or not
I followed through.
(I guess my husband will know, too....)

15 comments:

  1. We all have stood in those shoes!!!

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  2. Yes, we have stood in those shoes! AND it took an extreme amount of GRACIOUSNESS to post those pix!

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    1. Funny you should mention "graciousness". (Or did you notice it is "my word" for 2012?)

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  3. Great object lesson today, Rebecca...thank you for sharing it.
    (And I hope you get your farmhouse sink some day! ~smile~)

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  4. Not being hypocritical is a challenge for us mere mortals isn't it? I try so hard not to be and when I find myself slipping, I just apologize to our Lord and move on. I know that he forgives me but trying to forgive myself can also be a challenge!! I love your post Rebecca. It isn't always easy to admit to our own shortcomings! Love Di ♥

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    1. Unfortunately, I find it easier to ADMIT my shortcomings than to AMEND them, Diana.

      Wow! I feel another blog post coming on :)

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  5. Oh thanks Rebecca..what a convicting and confirming word this morning...I was looking at the speck in someone else's eye this morning, and yes, only if it brings a change is conviction worth it

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  6. Lol..this is so true! We're quick to point out the other's shortcominga before ours! Thank you for this post, it makes me ponder about this again!
    Thank you lovely lady for dropping by and wishing us blessings for MD. You have a wonderful time with your family and parents, so great you still have both your dear ones. I lost my dad 16 years ago and I miss him so, wish he was here, I was close to him. Have a happy and blessed MOTHER'S DAY!
    FABBY

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  7. "Confession of sin/weakness/need is only as productive
    as the change it produces."

    Powerful words of truth, sister. Keep speaking them. I certainly need to hear them.

    peace~elaine

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    1. I KNEW they were powerful as I typed them, Elaine. Pray that I will LIVE out their implications -- with HIS power.

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  8. Your life lessons are so timely, and your transparency reveals your open heart to what God is teaching you! I needed to hear this for it's so easy to see the faults of others while "overlooking" my own.

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  9. It's OK to make those photos small. :)) God didn't just shrink our sins and shortcomings, he erased them.
    Love your devotionals, my friend.

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    1. You're absolutely right, Jackie! Thanks for YOUR devotional!

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  10. Hi Rebecca,
    Just read your comment........so sorry to hear about lil Silas, will sure be praying hon, glad to hear he is some better.
    Blessings, Nellie

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Writing a Song a Week #3

Writing a Song a Week #3
♪ I wait for the Lord; my soul waits and in his word I hope. My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning ♪ (Psalm 130:5-6)