Log Eye Lessons

Last night, our family devotion was titled Log Eye.  The devotion was about judging others, and the title came from Jesus’ comments about removing the plank in our eye before we call out the speck in the eye of someone else.

“Do not judge, or you too will be judged.  For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”  Matthew 7:1-5

As we sat around the dinner table, we talked about what this means and how it applies to each of us.

The night before, I had snapped at Hannah for picking on and nagging her brother.  Hannah was scolding Isaac for putting too much hot sauce in his soup.  So I scolded Hannah telling her that she wasn’t the parent and that she didn’t need to get on Isaac’s case for how much hot sauce he wanted to use.

Hannah quickly stopped, and the conversation was over.  But it still went on in my head.  I felt awful for jumping down Hannah’s throat.  As I thought more about it, I remembered having similar interactions with my brother.  As the oldest brother, I always believed that I knew best.  Throughout the day, I pondered how much Hannah and I are really alike, and I realized that this can sometimes create friction between the two of us.

I see some of my faults in Hannah, and I cringe when I see my attitudes echoed by my daughter.  I cringe because it reminds me of me.

The whole Log Eye discussion gave me a great opportunity to apologize to Hannah.  I couldn’t see clearly with the log in my eye!  I’m blessed to have a wonderful daughter who keeps me humble and a loving Father who is full of mercy.

Do you struggle with judging others? 

How has God used your kids to teach you?