I like to believe I know how to read people. My willingness to be open, accept the unknown, unusual, and unexpected is genuine. My approach to assessing people usually puts met in good standing; i.e. I often read people right. However, I am not always on the mark. Yesterday, I skipped a step and blew it, big time!
To me it was not a big deal. Washing the car on a sunny afternoon in the shade provided a perfect opportunity for payback. First one kid was nailed, then another. It was not totally one sided, I was fairly wet early on. I did have the hose and a clear advantage.
Who wouldn’t want to participate? I should have understood that hair and a teenage girl are an important combination. I know this, but somehow my logic skipped a step or two. Even with an emphatic verbal warning and a look that should have stabbed my heart, I failed to comprehend. Carli wanted no part of this!
My rationalization, the perfect opportunity, and a warm ray of sunshine all combined in a single decision that broke the trust between a father and daughter. Later that night I apologized, but for the wrong thing. Sometimes, far too often I think, I ignore Lady Wisdom’s words.
“Don’t miss a word of this – I’m telling you how to live well, I’m telling you how to live at your best.” (Proverbs 8.6)
God continues to give you and I incredible words of advice, instruction, and comfort. He asks that we come in open honesty to him. If we are angry, express in with passion. If we are confused, get the strands of our thoughts out on the table so that everything can be seen candidly in the light of the sun. When we are passionate, He is there to affirm. Yet, I often skip God and blow it big time!
Skipping is all about busyness and being number one. Either attribute is a sure way to miss all life has to offer. Thankfully, forgiveness comes natural to God and my friends.
