Pertaining to Perspectives
December 13, 2009
A young couple moved into a new neighborhood. The next morning as they enjoyed breakfast, the wife looked out the window and noticed her neighbor hanging laundry on the clothesline. “Wow,” she remarked. “That laundry does not look very clean. I don’t believe she knows how to use her washing machine. Or she might want to lay off the economy-brand detergent.” Her husband looked as well, but said nothing. Interestingly, this went on for the next several days. The neighbor would place her wash on the line to dry, and the young wife critiqued the woman’s efforts instantly and harshly. About a week later, the young bride was surprised when she saw her neighbor hanging several pieces of crisp, clean laundry on the line. “All right!” she exclaimed. “The lady has finally figured out how to wash a load of clothes. It’s about time. I wonder how she learned?” Her husband remarked, “I don’t know what she did, but this morning I got up and cleaned our windows.” What can we say to this, West Broad and friends? Well, we are all guilty of seeing fault in other people; of observing what we perceive as inadequacies, deficiencies, or defects. Quite often, however, the problems we see in a neighbor are instead problems we have within ourselves! This was the case with the young wife in our story, and it is a behavior about which Jesus warns us (Matt. 7:3-5). According to God’s word, it is a good idea to adjust our perspective because we all have “dirty windows” (Rom. 3:10-12). Notwithstanding, we are reminded during this Season of a wonderful “window cleaner” (Matt. 1:21). Like the young woman’s husband, this “cleaner” removes the grime from our lives so we can see as we should (Eph. 1:18). So think about it, friend — how clean are the windows of your heart, today? (Resource: Glad Tidings of Good Things, Jacksonville Church of Christ, 3/12/09) —JLNJR
