I Heard You the First Time

Proverbs 17:9 (KJV) He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends.

In the past when I’ve read this verse, I tend to think of it as dealing with gossip.  That may have been the original intent, but today when I read it, it spoke to me of something else.  Have you ever been around someone who constantly repeats the same stories about your past failures?  Often these are the gems of family reunions, where people look back with fondness of the time where Uncle George threw up over the Thanksgiving turkey.  At the time it was a tragedy and incredibly vulgar.  As it ripens with age, it becomes a moment of hilarity, and Uncle George joins in the laughter because it’s based on love and warmth.  We know those things.  Often times Uncle George will bring it up himself.

I’m talking more about the way in which certain people will always bring up something that may not have even happened but “remember” it in such a way that it makes you look like the bad guy.  Maybe it was the time where you were accused of being late to something and causing a catastrophe because of your lateness.  What they don’t remember is that you were late because of something they did, not because you didn’t plan ahead.

These stories don’t come between you and other friends.  They are designed to come between you and the person telling them.

So?  First, forgive.  That’s the basis of love.  It’s a basic of relationships.  The Lord’s Prayer points out that we will be forgiven as we forgive.  Second, stop listening.  Once you’ve decided that the story is just an attempt to get under your skin, then let it go and get on with life.  Focus on the love of God and what He’s done for you and what He wants to do for you.  It makes a difference.