Coco Calling No. 92 - Calming the Storm

When I have a few moments to fill, I like to indulge in a spot of “Parrot Lego.” I expect that you humans think that Lego sets are only for homo -sapiens, but as you can see from the picture, “Parrot Lego” helps me to occupy my brain. And today, I’ve made myself a little friend. And because she can’t talk back to me, we can’t have any screechy arguments! You could say it’s a marriage made in Heaven!

I guess that most of us, -even when we’re brim full of love and affection, - we can still have our off-days. Especially when somebody says something to us that we don’t like. Or when we’re disappointed or shocked by someone’s behaviour. Or quite simply when we strongly disagree with someone else’s viewpoint. It happens all the time in families, places of work, amongst friends and even within church communities. And that’s how it’s always been.

Fire and brimstone has never been the answer to anything. We all need to have love in our hearts when we deal with upset, anger, and conflict. Which is why Proverbs 15:1 says this:

“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.”

There are times in our lives when we all need to be reminded about what makes us Christians. None of us live perfect lives that are free of sin. We all get it wrong from time to time. Either ourselves or those around us. No, we are only Christians because we have put our faith in Jesus and the redemption that He brought us through the cross. And that cross was built to bear some very heavy loads. Our own failings and those of others.

King David in the Old Testament was all too aware of his own personal failings. Which is why he spoke these words to God in Psalm 139: verses 23-24:

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Test me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”

Jesus knew that the way to peace and harmony here on Earth lay in two key commandments:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)

So, even if she could talk, I hope that my new Lego friend would gloss over my faults, just as I will ignore her rough edges!

#storm #upset #anger #conflict