Stumbling Blocks

Recently I attended a birthday party at our church for a friend’s daughter. I was hovering a food table with 2 other parents, discussing something that I can't remember now. I don't know what was said or even asked but I got excited and said the 'D' word. **Sigh**

Cussing is one of the many areas that I struggle in. I pray about it. I think about it. I think about not thinking about it and it still happens. Most of the time, I say oops and move on. This day was very different.

As it turns out, one of the parents that I was talking with is a man that is still trying to decide what he believes in. We see each other at kid’s games and other social events. He knows that I've led bible studies in the Women's Ministry at my church for the last 2 years. When we see each other, God usually works himself into our conversations. On this day, we hadn't gotten that far yet. -But when I said the word, it startled the man. I mean literally. He jumped and took a step back and then started shaking his head. He said "Oh.... so you're not..."  And then he didn't finish his sentence. He refused to finish, even after my prompting, but I knew the implication.

I am usually an open book and up for a good teasing or deep discussion. However, seeing his reaction startled me. I am not really sure what I said after that either.  I tried to laugh it off. I tried to wipe it out by offering a disclaimer that I still make mistakes but the man just looked like he'd been slapped in the face. He was utterly confused.

I have thought about that moment and his reaction almost daily since it happened. While the bible does not state that cussing is a sin. We are called to emulate God and give him the glory (1Cor 10:31).  It also says that we are called to "build each other up"(1Cor 14:26). -As in help others establish their own confidence in Christ. We do this not only by intentional gestures of kindness or encouragement; but also by simply living in our day to day and by being an example.-Whether or not we intended to be one, because someone is always looking.

1st Corinthians 8 talks about the freedom of Christians. It uses the analogy of eating meat offered to idols. You can modify that whole chapter with anything that we do. If done too much, too little or at the wrong time, it can be offensive no matter what it is. Particularly if someone else believes that it's bad. Verse 9 says that we should be careful how we exercise our faith so that we are not a stumbling block to those that are weaker in it.

One of my Boss's favorite sayings is "Perception is reality". Meaning that if someone believes something is real, no matter what it is. Then it is real. -At least to them.  It doesn't matter how much I struggle to find the right way internally because all others see in me are what I present outwardly. If anyone that is looking to me for direction, believes that something I do is misguiding. Then guess what... I look like the scarecrow from the Wizard of Oz. **Insert another sigh here.**

I am not trying to get legalistic and we certainly shouldn't get caught up trying to live up to everyone else's expectations. Thankfully, he sees my heart and he knows how remorseful I am. We should however at least consider the ripple that our one drop of water makes.

Proverbs 27:17 says that Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another. I'd like to believe that I help sharpen others around me, in their faith, rather than dull them. If I weren’t so familiar with all of my flaws and shortcomings, how might they affect me, seeing them for the first time? Would any of them be so offensive that I was finally able to shake them loose?  Maybe 2013 will be a year of purging for me.  To take inventory of dead things that I have been holding onto and hopefully, finally let them go…