It's not my fault . . .

Oh for goodness sake! Our family has come under attack again. This is getting old! Some days and evenings go smoothly--without conflict, without stress, without worries. This is NOT one of them. I just received a text from one daughter that she was so tired of keeping quiet and having to do the right thing. Earlier, other family members had said the same words, about different situations. Unfortunately, each of us is in a position in which we cannot give explanations for events or actions around us.

Everyone understands that doctors cannot discuss patient information and that lawyers may not chat about what clients have told them, but there are others of us who do not have those credentials yet still cannot discuss situations involving other people. Nevertheless, there are those who think they have a right to demand confidential information; and, if they don’t get it, they will fill in the blanks with their own opinions.

Then, they will take those filled-in blanks to the opinion column of the local newspaper or a Facebook posting or an online sports network. I am amazed that persons who have such little knowledge refuse to allow such a lack of understanding to stand in their way of posting accusatory indictments against others (in this case us).

We want to stand on a mountaintop in the center of town and scream out our “side” of the story. We want to write our own opinion column, and write scathing posts on Facebook and the sports network. We want to name names and give details. We want to stand up for ourselves and make our positions known. We want those who have accused us to look foolish and, well, look wrong.

Then, I remember. The One we follow went through much worse. Jesus was falsely accused, lied about, denied by His best friend, and deserted by just about everyone including His close companions. Did He, the Lion of Judah, stand on the mountaintop and roar? No, like a lamb led to slaughter, He silently and undeservedly climbed a hill to die for us. He even prayed for forgiveness for those who hurt Him.

Is His humility an example for us to follow? Though difficult, I believe it is. “Father, forgive them (even if I pray through clenched teeth).