The Absent Are Safe Here

The first time I read, "The Absent Are Safe Here" I thought about it for a week before I understood what it meant. Are the absent safe with me? Do I respect people behind their back, or do I dishonor them when they aren't around?
Pastor Kelly was talking about that on Sunday, well, that's how I applied it. He was encouraging us to pursue godliness, constantly, continuously, every day, without giving up. I think that includes our conversations with each other.
Even those inward, mental dialogues we have need to be measured in the light of godliness. You know the ones; repeating over and over what she said that hurt me, or what he did that was just so wrong. What should I have said? What could I have done to put her in her place?
Have you ever used the perfect comeback and then regretted it? Have you seen the pain on the face of the intended recipient and then felt like a worm?
There are no regrets when we know we have done that which pleases our Heavenly Father. There is no worminess when we hold our tongue, refusing to become the weapon of the enemy.
"So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another."Romans 14:19

The Challenge

I got bored so I changed things up a bit. This picture is of the beach in St. Andrew's, Scotland, just off the golf course. The opening scene to Chariots of Fire was filmed here, and when we walked on it I swear I could hear the orchestra.
There is something magical about a quiet morning by my window; the steam rises from my tea cup, the flowers are in bloom, and my Bible is open on my lap. I generally prefer a good sleep-in, but this is deeply good.
I am still up to date on reading through the Bible this year! Amazing, truly amazing. With major changes in my life this summer I have managed to keep up. I miss some days and have more to read, and some days are harder than others because I don't always like what I read, but I am pressing on toward the goal.
This week I read an old favorite and was challenged in a surprising way. I have this verse colored with light red pencil and there are notes next to it. I go to it often because it reminds me that I am loved with a divine love. I am precious.

 "I will give thanks to Thee, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; 
Wonderful are Thy works, 
And my soul knows it very well." Psalm 139:14


This time, as I read it, in my minds eye I had a picture of a woman I never want to see again. She didn't just hurt me, she did so deliberately, with great planning, care and painful consequences. She was reading the same verse, and finding the same peace and comfort that I receive. It surprised me and then I heard the Lord ask me, "Is this verse true for her too?"
Wow and ick.
He did make her too. She was formed in her mother's womb with the same love care as I was. I should be spiritual enough to rejoice, but I am ashamed to say that I am disappointed. I can pray the part about being fearfully and wonderfully made for her, but the thanks for her still sticks in my throat. I am working on it.
Funny how, after all these years, the same verse that has brought me so much comfort, brings conviction. God's word is alive and still challenges me. It's a good thing; hard, but good.