Gentle Reader,
It’s that time of year when I slather my hands in the heaviest lotions and ointments I can find and walk around wearing gloves with the fingertips cut off. The time of year when I rub coconut oil all over my face. You’d think I was a participant in some Antarctic expedition given the way my skin cracks, itches and flakes. (You’re welcome for that visual).
Ah, well. The gloves just add to the starving artist mystique, right?
Kate says: near.
Go.
Near…far…wherever you are…
You read that in Celine Dion’s breathy voice, didn’t you?
The movie Titanic came out in 1997, the year I was 13. My mom took me to see it, but unlike others in the audience who were enraptured by the (completely implausible) love story, I was focused on whether or not James Cameron would get the historical details right. Were the clothes correct? Did the on-screen ship actually sink in “real time?” Was the door able to hold two people?
Accuracy matters. If something is going to be promoted as truthful, then it should be just that.
We all make mistakes. We all suffer from “foot in mouth” disease at one time or another. Really, nobody is perfect. Sometimes we have to go back and clarify what we’ve said or written. Sometimes we have to apologize. Sometimes we learn and change our minds. There is room for human frailty. Anyone who expects perfection from others will be disappointed, over and over again.
What there is no room for – what should not be tolerated – is blatant hypocrisy, manipulation, abuse.
How easily we forget this truth:
You are near, O Lord,
And all Your commandments are truth.– Psalm 119:151 (NKJV)
God sees. God knows. Nothing is hidden.
The light always pierces and reveals.
We would do well to remember.
Stop.
Complete change of subject: In 2018, I will be opening up this space for the Wednesday Writers. Each Wednesday, I will have the privilege of showcasing another’s work. I’ve already announced this opportunity in the writers groups that I belong to, but I don’t want you to be left out!
The guidelines are simple:
- Read my statement of beliefs. If you can get on board with where I’m at (reasonable disagreement of course allowed, because we’re all different), then do pass “go.”
- You can write about anything you want and use as many words as you want. I will edit for grammar and spelling.
- If you are interested in participating, drop me a line via the contact page.
