It is a bit embarrassing to learn that I have been mispronouncing a word all my life. I wish someone had told me. This morning I was observing a teacher in a middle school classroom and heard the teacher use the word “malleable.” “No,” I thought to myself, “it’s mallable.” So I got out my iPhone and checked the dictionary app. Well, so much for appearing educated all these years. Now I am wondering how many other words I have been either misusing or mispronouncing. This must be a case where someone has to be a really good friend to tell you that you have spinach between your two front teeth. People are embarrassed for you but don’t have the courage to say, “Hey.”
I think even Jesus is a bit hesitant to tell us all our faults; at least not all at once. We would be so discouraged we would just give up and say, “What’s the use.” Little by little as we are successful in some areas He very gently reveals new areas where growth is needed. Jesus created us. He is the great psychologist. He knows just how much we can handle and makes sure He doesn’t overwhelm us. However, sometimes church members are not so gentle and have driven a lot of people out because of harsh pushing to try to make others like them.
We seem particularly bad about this with our young people. We don’t stop to consider their world is not the same world we grew up in. And we forget how we felt about the older people telling us how to dress and comb our hair. We have to remember young people are “malleable” and with love will become what Jesus wants them to be and not necessarily what we want them to be.
Written by Roger Bothwell on September 21, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org