March 14

For today's Forward Day by Day readings, Click Here.

Psalm 73 includes a short commentary about someone who sometimes doesn't choose the right tools or responses, and doesn't always seek his Caddy's advice for the right weapon. And how often do we all find ourselves in that spot...when we're mad, or our feelings are hurt and we say things we shouldn't or act in a way that is unbecoming, even stupid.

²¹ When my mind became embittered, *
I was sorely wounded in my heart.
²² I was stupid and had no understanding; *
I was like a brute beast in your presence.
²³ Yet I am always with you; *
you hold me by my right hand.
I love this because it's such a timeless message: Yes we are like bulls in a china store sometimes, but God's always got us by the hand trying to navigate us through without too much destruction. No matter what kind of brute beast are, we are perfectly equipped to act like an angel.

I feel like a brute beast over all the news coming out of Florida and Jacksonville this week. Seemingly respectable people involved in a $300 million raketeering case? The Fraternal Order of Police are involved, and now the Lt. Governor of our great state? And did anyone read Ron Littlepage's column about the local firemen? Those fine civil servants are auctioning off an AK-37 assault rifle "built just how you want it" at their upcoming fundraiser. And they think that's just fine! In the wake of Sandy Hook, Aurora, even Episcopal School of Jacksonville,this seems to me to be a total lack of sensitivities and sensibilities...no matter what our rights are as citizens of this country!

Errrrgggggg. So what do you pull out of the bag when you hear things like this?

I have been praying about that this morning. What tool, Caddy? Pity, Compassion and Patience tumbled out at my feet for a start. Then the Lifelong Learner popped out. In my compassion for these people who have made poor choices, I can also be a teacher for my children: you do something against the law, or against the sensitivities of a loving community, and you're going to get caught. You're going to get burned. Nothing good comes out of illegal choices, out of a me-first mentality. But God will still have you by the right hand. And if someone thinks long and hard about it first, there may be some folks who can muster a little Pity, Compassion and Patience for you.

What china store have you been a bull in today? What kind of Pity party are you throwing for those who have done you wrong?