Motives

  I recently found myself in a situation where someone was questioning one of my actions. I think the thing that upset me most was that they didn't ask me directly, but ask another friend why I did what I did...as if that friend knew what was in my mind! I began thinking about my past and people I spent a lot of time with and realized that this was a pattern...habit of one particular set of friends. I began searching my heart and my motives and trying to understand my friend, her motives and why she would not have come to me directly. The lesson that I apply to my life is that if I discuss something with a third party, it gives me an opportunity to participate in a form of gossip. When I go directly to the source, it stops innuendos and insinuations about someone else. I don't have to question or imagine or play "what if" ...I just know. May I remember this lesson, Lord. And Lord, may I not be looking to find my sister or brother doing anything just so that I have something to talk about. And Lord, when I find them doing something good, please help me remember to talk about that!