We all know someone that really needs to be taught a lesson. And many of us have no trouble in volunteering to be the teacher. But we really need to think before we teach.
Recently I took it upon myself to teach someone that I know a lesson. This person is younger than me and is a mother and a grandmother. It is the general opinion of several that know her, that she is could use a lesson in responsibility. So when given the opportunity to teach such a lesson I was more than willing to do my part.
The mother had not followed through and contacted me to make sure that there would be enough food for her group at a particular event. As usual I had more than enough for all that were present and could have shared, but in order to teach her that very important lesson, I chose not to. Thus the children were not fed. After I got home it really started to sink in, I had "thrown out the baby with the bath water." In my zeal to teach an irresponsible parent a lesson, I taught a group of teenagers an even bigger lesson. They saw just how selfish a person could be.
At the time, I did not see myself as selfish, I had asked who wanted food and those that had, paid for their meals. So I told myself that it was not fair to them if I gave it to others when I had taken money from them. And I was not doing it for money, at least not a profit. All I had asked for was to cover the cost.
But whatever the motive behind it, I was wrong. It is not for me to judge, or to teach lessons, that is up to God and he will in his time and in his way. I have been so blessed over the last 12 months and I should be rejoicing and sharing my blessings. Those of us who call ourselves Christians have to be mindful of who and what we represent. We must walk the walk as well as talk the talk.
I am going to try to be less selfish and more understanding, but most of all I will try and remember that I am not the judge nor the jury and the lessons that need teaching will be taught by a much better teacher than me.
