The Pain of False Accusations

     Many years ago, I took a job at my father-in-law's radio station working in the continuity department where I scheduled various commercials in the daily log.  The job was time consuming because we did not have computers in those days but relied, instead, on manual typewriters and handwritten work.  I had been on the job for a number of months, but I had gotten behind on my filing.  I was in the process of reorganizing my work flow when I had an accident at lunch one day.
     Temperatures were hovering around freezing all morning and the light rain had produced sheets of ice.  I went out for my lunch not realizing how slippery the surface of the blacktopped driveway at the restaurant had become.  As I ran towards the building, my feet flew out from under me and I landed hard on my left side pinning my arm under me.  Being cold and somewhat in shock from the fall, I picked myself up and determined I would go ahead and get my lunch and return to my work to eat.
     Upon returning to the station, my left arm seemed to be working okay initially or so I thought.  Then, my hand began to swell and the pain started to overwhelm me.  As it turned out, I had a severe break in my left elbow which the doctor said would require surgery the next day if I ever wanted to use the arm again.  Being left handed, I had no choice in this matter.
     Following surgery, I was told to keep the arm immobile for five weeks and remain at home.  There was little I could do since all my writing depended on this arm and I certainly could not type either.  I informed work of my status.  Naturally, no one was happy to hear that I would be out for five weeks, but there was no alternative.
     My immediate supervisor, a bookkeeper, had her daughter come in to help keep things going in my office.  This is when the trouble began.  As it was discovered that I was behind in my filing, complaints began to be made.  Instead of calling me to ask where certain items were, the bookkeeper's daughter reorganized the office and made known to her mother that I had done a poor job.  There was no opportunity for me to give explanation that I was in the process of bringing things into better order in the office.
     Upon my return, I received a reprimand both from my supervisor and my father-in-law for the work I had left undone.  To my surprise, I was also informed that I had failed to let my supervisor know when I would return to work even though no one bothered to call me.  I was crushed by the accusations since I had let the office staff know I would be out for five weeks due to the injury.  I had given my best efforts to my job and where I had failed in keeping up with filing I apologized.  No one is perfect and when someone is absent for a time, people can pick the absent person to pieces.
     This whole incident put a strain on my relationship to my father-in-law who believed the bookkeeper over his own daughter-in-law.  However, I resolved to go on and do my best and begin a search for another job in the mean time.  I knew that as long as the bookkeeper remained the person to oversee the office, there would not be cordial relationships possible.   The only thing which sustained me during this time was my faith in the Lord.  
     As I looked in the Word each day, I read about others who were unjustly accused for things which they did not do.  Joseph popped out at me first.  He had been thrown into a pit because his brothers were jealous of him.  Then, he was sold into slavery.  Having found favor with his master, he was given great responsibility until his master's wife accused him of trying to assault her.  Ending up in prison, Joseph never gave up his hope in God.  This was exactly what I needed to read at this time.
(Genesis 37-39).
     Then, I read about King David whose father-in-law chased him all around the countryside trying to kill him as a result of jealousy over his popularity.  David had done no wrong but had been a faithful steward and warrior under King Saul.  In fact, he was not only a son-in-law but also best friends with the King's son.  This, however, made little difference.  David spent years on the run through no fault of his own.  Eventually, justice came to him in the death of Saul by the hand of enemies.  Even then, David did not rejoice in the death of this man who had pursued him.  He had always conducted himself properly even though his life had been in jeopardy.  What a witness he had been in terms of his conduct towards Saul.
     Finally, I considered Jesus who was falsely accused before the Sanhedrin.  Our Savior, who had committed no sin, was accused by witnesses of blasphemy.  Then, after the sham of a trial, our Lord went to the cross to pay for our sins even though He was faultless Himself.  Jesus never argued or called down fire from heaven as He stood accused.  He was the perfect sacrifice for us that we might be saved through His death.
     In all these cases from the Bible, I saw how men were accused unjustly, but God took what was meant for evil and turned it for good.  Joseph even said that to his brothers when he finally revealed his identity to them years later as he stood in the place of power in Egypt.  He said, "And now do not be distressed or angry with yourselves because you sold me here, for God sent me before you to preserve life.  For the famine has been in the land these two years, there are yet five years in which there will be neither plowing nor harvest.  And God sent me before you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to keep alive for you many survivors.  So it was not you who sent me here, but God.  He has made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house and ruler over all the land of Egypt" (Genesis 45:5-8).  If he could look at difficult days like that, who was I to complain?
     There were several lessons I learned from the situation I found myself in at my job.  First, it is often difficult to work for or with relatives.  Misunderstandings, and in my case, lack of communication caused some pain in the relationship.  Secondly, God works in and through our circumstances to help us grow.  Not one of us is promised an easy ride to heaven in this life.  We WILL face challenges.  As a result of my hurt, I ran to God's Word for answers which helped me grow in His grace.  Finally,  I learned how to forgive and move on.  That was a big one in this situation!  We all need this because bitterness can ruin your life.
     This story had a happy ending ultimately.  I found another job which was a good move for me as it gave me a chance to make new friends, allow myself to heal, and offered me some extra income until we started our family.  With time, prayer, and love, the relationship with my father-in-law was mended and we all moved on.  It is my firm belief that there is never a circumstance that happens in life that does not first pass through the Father's hands.  He allows the trials to come to increase our trust in Him and to work good into our lives.  With each passing day, I can look back and say "Thank you Father for the lessons I have learned."  Selah!

What lessons is God teaching you right now?  What has He taught you in the past?  I welcome your thoughts and comments.  May we always encourage one another.
   

Picture courtesy of Wikipedia Commons
   

Neat and Tidy

     Packing up my manger set this last week always gives me time to reflect.  My mother taught me to save all the boxes and special styrofoam containers that each porcelain piece fits into so they would be kept safe until the next year.  I had collected the set of figurines over the years one by one so they were special to me.  As I carefully placed each piece into its styrofoam cocoon, I noted how snugly they fit.  It was neat and tidy.  No mess or fuss unlike our lives at times.  I thought to myself, "Don't we all wish our lives could fit snugly into a safe place with no messiness where we could be certain to be kept safe?"  Ah, but reality is that we live in a fallen world filled with dangers, toils and snares as the old hymn writers say.  There is nothing like a perfect little cocoon into which we can crawl to be kept safe and free from temptations.  And even if there were, would we want to live in such a world?  What faith is required if our days are perfectly ordered?   Instead, God wants us to learn to trust in Him as we walk the rocky paths of life.
     Coming to Him does not mean that our lives will now be perfect without any challenges, sickness, pain, or loss.  In fact, Jesus tells us clearly that in this world we will have trouble.  John 16:33 is always a source of comfort to believers:   "I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace.  In this world, you will have trouble.  But take heart!  I have overcome the world."   In Christ, we have all we need for life and godliness to make it through the hills and valleys of life.
     I will never forget the many conversations that I had with my father growing up.  I would come home all discouraged over something that didn't go my way and I would never fail to say, "It's not fair!".  My father always replied, "Who told you life was fair, Honey?"  He was right.  Our world system which is controlled by the Prince of the Power of the Air is a place of injustice, sorrow and hardship.  However, the Good News is that Jesus Christ has overcome the world, death, and Satan.  In Him, we have a hope and a future despite our current circumstances.  This is why it is so important to walk by faith each day rather than sight.  Our senses can deceive us, but our Lord is the same today, yesterday and forever.  He does not change.   He is our solid ground when all the earth is shaking beneath our feet.  He will not let us fall even when we stumble, but He will pick us up and hold us in the hollow of His hand.
     As I pondered these thoughts, I realized that in many ways, we do have a safe little cocoon of sorts not to keep us from the difficulties that everyone faces but to keep safe the most fragile, important part of our being....our souls.  When our souls are filled with Christ, He is able to save us from sin and death.  John 10:27-30 says:  "My sheep hear my voice and I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.  My father, who has given them to me, is greater than all and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand.  I and the Father are one."   These are, indeed, words of comfort to the believer.  Because Christ arose from the dead, we will one day do the same.  We will live forever with Him where there will be no more injustice, sorrow, pain and loss.  For now, we walk in this world that buffets us, but we can have peace knowing He is with us guiding our steps.
     God does not want to put us away in a box somewhere like I do my manger set.  He wants, instead, to display our lives that we might be the salt and light to others who also need to trust in Him.  Our Father wants us to so shine before men that they may see our good works and glorify God.  As we face the messiness of life, we have a resource that the world does not have...we have Jesus Christ living in us.  While we cannot avoid the heartaches, we can move through them on the wings of God's strength daily.  Not only do we grow stronger in faith, but we also are an example to a world looking for answers to the challenges of daily living.

     No, our lives are not neat and tidy without problems.  However, our souls are kept safe in the hands of God when our lives are committed to Him.  Only in His strength can we overcome the obstacles we face each day.  He is able to keep us and I agree with two verses which Paul shares in His letters that should encourage us as we daily face our messy lives.  2 Timothy 1:12 reads:  "For the which cause I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day."  The other verse is found in I Corinthians 1:8:  "He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ."    We must remember that He is able to keep us daily no matter what circumstances come our way.  May our lives reflect His light and bring taste as salt into our world for His glory!  Selah!                                                                                                                          

A Lesson At My Expense

Doctor's scale

     Little did I know, when I entered the podiatrist's office seeking a remedy to my foot pain,  that I would also learn a lesson about the importance of watching our words.  While waiting at the reception desk to get my insurance card back, a lady introduced herself to me and had recognized that two of my sons had worked at the church she currently attends.  She was so sweet and kind and I was delighted to see her again.  She explained that she had brought a friend with her who needed to see the doctor.
     Upon returning to her seat, she explained to her neighbor how she knew me and made several complimentary comments about me.  Her neighbor then proceeded to indicate that I was overweight and needed to lose a few pounds if I wanted to appear attractive.  I pretended that I had not heard their conversation since we were quite a distance apart in the waiting area.  However, I have to tell you that those words cut through me at the time.  In some ways, I was amused and thought this must be God's way of reminding me that Christmas was over and I needed to get more committed to my diet again.  Certainly the elderly lady making the loud remarks in the crowded room was oblivious to the fact that everyone could hear her including me.  Then, I wondered to myself if they treated "foot in mouth" disease at this office too because this lady had definitely done that.  The lady who had been so sweet to me said nothing while her friend rambled on, and I can only imagine she was silently hoping I had not heard her remarks.
     As I reflected on this incident, I wasn't so much hurt about the comments on my weight as I know I have been working on this area for some time now.  What concerned me was the fact that things like this happen every day in the work place, at home, and at social events...even....in church.  Talking about someone in a manner that is derogatory or unhelpful is sin.  There isn't anyone reading this that hasn't at one time or another talked about another person behind his/her back...or in this case, a very public place.  I am as guilty as the next person.  The Bible has a lot to say about our speech, but two scriptures stand out in this area.
     Proverbs 16:23-24:   "The heart of the wise makes his speech judicious and adds persuasiveness to his lips.  Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body."  Then, James 3:7-11 reads:  "For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue.  It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.  With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing.  My brothers, these things ought not be so.  Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and salt water?"  I can vouch for the admonition that James gives.  There have been ample times when I was corrected as a child for opening my mouth and speaking hurtful words.  Even as a Christian, I said something unkind to a brother in the Lord and my dear husband called me to account.  I called that brother and sincerely apologized for my fiery tongue.
     Sadly, people think that it doesn't matter what we say about someone else in secret as they will never find out.  Yet, I have seen it happen over and over again that what was said in secret later becomes public knowledge and damage is done to relationships.  God calls Christians to a higher standard of conduct when it comes to our speech.  As the Proverb above admonishes us, we need to be judicious in what we say and make our words sweet.  It brings health to the body when someone has a good word for their neighbor.

     My mother used to tell me that there is "criticism" and then, there is "constructive criticism".  One tends to tear someone else down because we see faults in them.  The other addresses them in a kind manner to seek a resolution to some issue.  I have to agree that being a peacemaker is in line with what James was driving at in chapter 3.  He concludes his address concerning the evil tongue and other sins by giving us a look at God's wisdom in verses 17 and 18:  "But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."  This is the way we are to conduct ourselves.  We are to be holy as God is holy through the guidance and grace of the Holy Spirit.
     Therefore, my lesson for the day is this:  Be careful what you say, in front of whom you say it and measure your words carefully before uttering them because even if the person you are talking about is not present....God is.  Jesus said in Matthew 12:36-37:  "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."  May our words be judicious, kind, full of mercy, tender, filled with the love of Christ, truthful and spoken to exhort a brother rather than judgmental, harsh or critical....because one day, we will be called into account.  Selah!