Ouch, That hurt!

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During vacation I spent time with my daughters. There is nothing like the three of us being together. We know each other so well. Sometimes that is a good thing and at other times it can be painful. All of us were going to a wedding and were excited for it to begin. The next sequence of events occurred and they were lets say, painful. I saw an old friend and screamed out her name as she came to give me a hug. Both of my daughters gave me the look and said "mom, you are too loud". I remember shushing them in church and other places, but for them to tell me to be quiet was another matter. Next as we were sitting in the congregation my daughter said, "do you pluck your eyebrows anymore"? Again, I have helped them through the years with their makeup and hair and I think I do a good job at keeping myself up to date. "Maybe there are some hairs that I missed". Last my other daughter asked, "where did you get those shoes"? It wasn't a complement, but I proudly told her payless.

Why does it hurt when people point out our flaws? Why do we point out other peoples weaknesses?

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? How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a 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. Matthew 7:3-5

For some reason we do it to each other and especially to people we know very well. I have often pointed out things to my daughters and husband of how I think things should be done or ways in which they could improve. I never realized how hurtful some of my words could have been.

Father,

Thank you for using my own daughters to teach me to choose my words wisely and with kindness. Help me to look into my own life before I try to fix somebody else.

Jann