Wayne Weekly “Snowblowing…but use the one that’s helpful”
Written by Teddy on January 22, 2016
Have you ever noticed how we in the Northeast generally glory in our white holiday
season, even snowblowing (i.e. bragging about our winter icing) but when the Christmas tree is taken down and the porch lights are removed, the cherished white becomes the dreaded freeze. Of course there are exceptions. You have outdoor enthusiasts who love the long snow blanketed winters, along with the snowmobilers, the skiers, ice fishing people, and maybe a few other groups that don’t readily come to my mind right now. But overall we’re waiting for the song of spring.
People can “snowblow” about the Northeast winter season. But people can also boast about lots of other things, some good, some not so good.
It’s OK to take pride and joy in your grandchildren. It’s OK to talk up your accomplishments in measure, great to brag about your spouse at times, and even toot about your hobbies. The blowing comes when you overdo it, or are insensitive to others.
I wouldn’t brag about a daughter’s great Christian commitment to a person who has children who have gone prodigal. I wouldn’t normally talk about an athletic son who is quarterback on the local high school football team to a Dad who has a son who suffers a serious physical disability or is in jail for drug possession. Being careful not to cause someone to suffer a feeling of defeat is amiable.
God’s Word says things about “snowblowing”. Here are just a few:
1 Corinthians 13:4-5 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
Colossians 3:12 Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
Judges 9:38 Then Zebul turned on him and asked, “Now where is that big mouth of yours? Wasn’t it you that said, ‘Who is Abimelech, and why should we be his servants?’ The men you mocked are right outside the city! Go out and fight them!”
1 Corinthians 4:7 “…What do you have that God hasn’t given you? And if everything you have is from God, why boast as though it were not a gift?
Psalm 75:4-5 “I warned the proud, ‘Stop your boasting!’ I told the wicked, ‘Don’t raise your fists! Don’t raise your fists in defiance at the heavens or speak with such arrogance.’”
So let’s stop the “snowblowing” of the mouth. But here in the Northeast, let’s keep the metal one in the garage topped-up with fuel.
