To Err is Human...

But to forgive is hard. Before you start thinking about all the possibilities I could be talking about, I'll start with the easy stuff. I'm error prone. Like with the last blog post.

For example, at the end of the first paragraph, you'll see the word, "Ferrins." It shouldn't be there. And in the next to the last paragraph, "an hymnal" should read "a hymnal." Well, I feel better, now. However, there are spacing problems and commas flung about like punctuation confetti. But that's small stuff and doesn't require forgiveness, just white-out. Remember when we used typewriters, carbon paper and white-out? Now, I just hit delete. I fear anyone younger than sixty, just quit reading!

However, there is big stuff out there. And it goes beyond erring or making mistakes. And stuff closer to home, like in me, that needs more than white-out or a digital eraser. It's a heart problem, a spiritual crisis that runs deeper than political divisions. Floods of cruel words, fear and lies washed out bridges between us. What to do?

Well, for starters, we who identity as Christians, need to ask God for help. We need a "listening heart," as Father Patrick preached yesterday. Because at the heart of it all is the heart. My heart. Yours. Theirs.

Remember when King Solomon had all the goods and a gazillion wives(700) and concubines(300)? Talk about the man who had everything. If they'd had one back then, nobody would want to draw Solomon's name for who to bring a gift to at the Christmas party.

But, it turns out, even Solomon, the man who had everything, still had an "except." Seems like there's always an "except." And so one night, God comes to Solomon in a dream and asks, "What do you want?" (I Kings 3:5,NLT) And Solomon says, "an understanding mind" or a "listening heart." He wants wisdom. Me, too.

So, as some of us watch the Democratic Convention this week, check with social media or our tribes, we need to monitor our hearts, also. Not with some technological gizmo but with God's words. And to ask God for listening hearts, so we can be wise and discerning. Truth matters. So do issues. All, not just ones that trigger us or our tribes. But we also need to know when to bend, cooperate for the greater good.

Even Solomon, with all his wealth and wisdom, erred and sinned against God and others. But he wrote these words in Proverbs 4:23-27( The Message): "Keep vigilant watch over your heart: that's where life starts. Don't talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid care-less banter, white lies and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust."

Wow! Sounds like there's a holy middle ground. And it matters. For me, middle ground is a fertile place where truth, love, justice, forgiveness, reconciliation, generosity, compassion and grace can flourish. And so I pray from Psalm 86:11,NIV): "Teach me your way, O Lord, ... give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."

That's the good kind of fear.

It matters, as does wisdom to discern.

Faith over fear.

Hope over despair.

And gratitude over greed.

Well, it's time for lunch. Like Winnie the Pooh wisely said, "It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words, like 'What about lunch?' "

But, knowing how error prone I am, I just don't want to have to eat my words.

Again.

Or to swallow another slice of humble pie.

So, now you know why I need wisdom.

And a teachable heart.

And lunch.

So you can stop reading, if you haven't already done so.

And enjoy your lunch.

Did I hear an amen?