Even though the order of the books are, by now, well engrained and almost second nature, I still recite the Wee Sing Books of the Bible songs in my mind when looking for specific verses.

I learned to add and subtract using a system called “touch math.” Each number has assigned dots in specific places; the dots have a value of one or two and when combined they equal the value of the specific number. I still physically touch the numbers when I need to double check for accuracy, usually when dealing with money.

The habits we form in childhood, both good and bad, often follow us well into adulthood. Unfortunately, as we get older we try to complicate or justify or excuse behaviors in order to push agendas that meet our own needs.

One of the easiest places to forget the Golden Rule is on social media. We know the power we hold with our words and, it seems, so many are not afraid to use them as weapons. I often catch myself thinking of a tune I learned in childhood, (with questionable theology about God just watching us from heaven).

Oh, be careful little mouth what you say.

Oh, be careful little mouth what you say.

For the Father up above is looking down in love,

Oh, be careful little mouth what you say.

The other verses head warning to be careful little hands, feet and minds. Somewhere along the way we seem to give ourselves permission to neglect being kind to others in order to speak our truth, trying to mask our condemning judgements as honesty and righteousness.

And, boy, does the Internet love it when someone makes a mistake, especially when that someone has opposing views and the mistake can be used as a means to tear down, invalidate and further villianize an individual or group.

I was struck by a piece written by Beth Moore in which she states, “only a fool gloats when others fail.” I found the statement both relevant and convicting. It often seems sweet revenge when we see an enemy stumble or fail. Perhaps is only human nature to want to celebrate and offer a smug smile to reinforce the fact that they got what was coming to them. But, with pride comes the fall. It is by grace alone that we are saved from the sins that entangle others, and none of these sins are out of our own grasps.

And, I wonder what we are letting define us. Is it our political party? Our denomination? Our accomplishments or possessions? If Jesus were walking among us today I think we would all be shocked. I cannot imagine that he would be conservative or liberal, but would probably radically challenge the thinking and behaviors of both sides.

I am becoming more and more comfortable with the idea that while I am hopefully getting some things right, I am getting a lot of things wrong. My imperfections are what keep me dipping in the well of grace and forgiveness, needing to depend on the One far greater than myself. Whoa to anyone who thinks they’ve got it all figured out.

We will never all agree. But, we can all be more careful with what we do and say, we can treat others with dignity and respect, and we can all stand to spend some more time repenting and asking for forgiveness and grace least we need to eat the crow we so easily dish out to others.

Name calling and point proving equate to nothing in the grand scheme of things. After all, it is our love that sets us apart.

Oh, be careful.