Keys to the Kingdom By Carolyn Tucker

Shin Goose-Egg

I’m old enough to remember when handheld hair dryers were nonexistent. And what a happy happy day it was when I purchased my first one! You’d think by now that I’d know how to properly handle this appliance, but the other day I was lacking some skill in stowing the electrical cord. When I finished drying my hair, I began to wrap the cord around the dryer and, for whatever reason, the ground-fault circuit interrupter banged against my naked shinbone with a mighty blow. “Oh, oh, oh,” I felt like I was impersonating a silly Jerry Lewis movie complete with his crazy antics and crossed-eyes! A couple of minutes later, I inspected my injury and discovered a hefty goose egg on my shin! The only goose egg I’d ever seen was on the forehead of my little nephew Dakota.

I most certainly did not intentionally hurt myself. When an unfortunate incident happens unexpectedly or unintentionally and results in damage or injury, it‘s considered an accident. Have you ever said something accidentally that hurt someone’s feelings? Or have you ever had someone say something to you that hurt your feelings? As Christ followers, we need to give the individual that hurt us the benefit of the doubt. Apostle Paul wrote that believers should bear with others and make allowances for them because we love them. “With tender humility and quiet patience, always demonstrate gentleness and generous love toward one another, especially toward those who may try your patience” (Ephesians 4:2 TPT). This is when we want to say (but only think): “I’ve got one nerve left and you’re on it!”

Don’t be tempted to take something that’s said to you the wrong way — especially if you’ve got years of beautiful history and memories with the individual. We’re to overlook an accidental insult and love family and friends in spite of the stupid things they may say. “Hatred stirs up trouble on purpose; love overlooks the wrongs others do” (Proverbs 10:12 CEV). Love overlooks; love covers “word accidents.” You never know what troubles an individual might have on his/her mind. We simply must cut them some slack if we consider ourselves to be a Christ follower.

In 1977, I gave my mom the classic book entitled, “Wings of Silver.” I’m sharing three  quotes from this great little wisdom book:  “Be sure of this: you are dreadfully like other people.” “No person can ever be a complete failure, for he may serve as a horrible example.” “Nothing will make us so charitable and tender to the faults of others as to thoroughly examine ourselves.”  No one is perfect, so we all need to extend a gentle hand of grace to all who’ve proven to be flawed human beings.

A good-natured person can be described herein: “Love is large and incredibly patient. Love is gentle and consistently kind to all. Love is not easily irritated or quick to take offense” (1 Corinthians 13:4-5 TPT). Believers need to develop thick alligator skin and not go through life with overly-sensitive feelings. Walking in love means we do our best to overlook offenses and focus on the positive attributes of the individual. Since I’m guilty of occasionally sticking both feet in my mouth, I can certainly overlook that same  malady when someone else sticks their foot in their mouth.

The Key: If someone accidentally kicks you in the shins, just smile and try not to cross your eyes.