After hours of searching through dusty cartons in the basement, brushing aside spider webs and dust bunnies, Kelly found the box that contained the baby cup that had been her grandmother’s. It was wrapped in yellowed newspaper from many years earlier, as evidenced by the dates on the paper. Kelly removed the wrapping and discovered that the cup was now blackened by tarnish. Frustrated and disappointed, she stuffed the cup back into the carton.
Stop being mean, bad-tempered and angry. Quarreling, harsh words, and dislike of others should have no place in your lives. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God has forgiven you because you belong to Christ.
EPHESIANS 4:31-32 TLB
That night Kelly was unable to sleep. After an hour of tossing and turning, it finally occurred to her that she was uneasy because her neglect and lack of concern had allowed the cup to deteriorate. She got up quickly and retrieved the cup from the basement. Finding some silver polish, she gently cleaned the cup until the beautiful silver again was revealed. With much work and love, she restored the cup to its original beauty.
Often our relationships with family and friends tarnish and deteriorate under layers of hurt feelings, anger, and misunderstanding. Sometimes the deterioration begins with a comment made in the heat of the moment, or it may begin under the strain of other stresses. If the air isn’t cleared immediately, the relationship tarnishes.
When we put work and love into our relationships, they can be restored. Then we rediscover the beauty that lies underneath the tarnish and realize that it has been there all along.
If you’re lying awake tonight, unable to sleep because you’ve been hurt by a loved one or you’ve said hurtful words or retaliated in kind, remember the teachings of Jesus and ask forgiveness for yourself and your loved one.43
If men would consider not so
much wherein they differ, as
wherein they agree, there would
be far less uncharitableness
and angry feeling in the world.
JOSEPH ADDISON