I have enjoyed having several guest writers while I have been overseas. They have been a blessing to readers and followers of Hope in the Healing. I have a few more in the wings, you will love them just as much. I have asked today’s guest to write for us several times, twisted her arm and tried to bribe her but it never worked. Thankfully, she finally consented. Friends, she is gifted with words. This beautiful soul has been a friend to me for 40 years. She was my Sunday School teacher, my youth pastor for a short while, taught me to sew (well, she tried to teach me, I was a poor student), and became my sister-in-law 35 years ago. She is the real deal. Always the same, keeps her promises and keeps her mouth shut. I have always admired that quality. Be blessed as I introduce my friend, Dixie Jones.

For as long as I can remember, I have had a love for reading.  As a child, my favorite book was Uncle Arthur’s Bedtime Stories.  It contained maybe 50 to 75 short stories, and each one had a moral truth that it tried to impart through the tale.

One in particular impressed me more than the others; it was about Two Caroline’s.  This story was illustrated with a picture of two faces of the same little girl.  The faces were three-quarter silhouettes which faced in opposite directions.  One face was done in monochromatic color, and the little girl’s face was angry looking, with a frown on her brow.

The other face was done in full color, and the face of the girl was smiling and cheerful looking.  I recall, when I was young, that I looked at those faces for quite some time before I comprehended that both faces were the same little girl.

The content of the story presented Caroline, who went to school, where she was the cheerful little girl who was loved by her teacher.  Caroline was a pleasant student, and her teacher would brag to her parents about what a sweet young lady their daughter was and how proud they must be of her.

But at home, Caroline showed that other unpleasant face.  She complained about cleaning her bedroom, and about helping her mother in general.  It became so unbearable that Caroline’s mother decided that she must act to teach her a lesson.

One day at home, Caroline’s mother called to her to come to the parlor to help her.  Caroline did not enjoy having her time interrupted, and she began to argue with her mother as she made her way to the parlor.  She stomped her foot and complained loudly as she entered the parlor.  She was behaving quite badly, and then her mother brought to her attention that they had a guest in the parlor that happened to have her back to Caroline.

Oh, how upset she was when the guest turned to face her and it was her teacher from school!  

Caroline was quite embarrassed that her teacher had seen her as she was at home, and the teacher learned an ugly truth about her prized student that day.

Have any of us been guilty of acting like Caroline?  

Do we gripe and complain in front of our family, and then go to church or some other public place and act like honey wouldn’t melt in our mouth?

I’m sure we have all been guilty of this at some time or other.

They don’t deserve that kind of treatment.

James 3: 10- 18 are precious verses which give us wise counsel in this area of our life.  Beginning in verse 10- 11: “Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing.  My brethren, these things ought not so to be.  Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?”

Jesus is trying to show us that this is contrary to what should be happening in our lives and our spirit.  Our spirit should show consistent conversation and behavior as we grow closer to Jesus Christ.

To conclude the story of Caroline, she learned a lesson she never forgot.  She no longer acted one way at school for her favorite teacher, and another way at home for her mother.  She became a sweeter Caroline, at home as well as at school.

Life certainly throws us a few curves as we travel our pathway.  But instead of speaking bitter utterances, let’s just go to our knees in prayer to the One who loves us the most, and seek His help in our lives.

Dixie Jones is a school teacher, former principal, a busy pastor’s wife, mother, daughter and friend. She and her husband, Danny, pastor the greatest church in Orleans, Indiana, where they initiated their own church plant over 13 years ago. They have seen family members, friends and strangers come to know Jesus Christ because of their sacrifice.

 

 

 

Sharing with Amaze  Me Mondays, Inspire Me Monday, Sharing His Beauty, Living Proverbs 31, Modest Monday, Titus 2sday, Testimony Tuesday, Teaching what is good, Titus Tuesday, , Friendship Friday, Essential Fridays, Faith Filled Friday