The Reflecting Pond

[BW]

Little Sally came running home from church excited. She was anxious to tell her mother what big brother Bill had done in Sunday school

Big Brother Bill was never in trouble the way littel Sally was. trouble seemed to follow Sally whereever she went. Mother was always scolding Sally. Little Sally thought, "Not this time. this time Mommy will scold Big Brother."

In the door she flew, breathless, anxious and excited. "Mommy, You're gonna be so mad at Billy..Do you know what he did this morning."

Mom was patient and tried to brush down the unruly curls of Little Sally as she pulled her bonnet off. And Sally went on "Are you gonna scold him? Are you going to punish him?"
And Mommy's patient replay.."Take a breath and tell me what you're talking about."

Little Sally tried to hide some of her excitement and told her mother that during the prayer brother Billy didn't close his eyes.

Mommy tried to hide a patient smile and waited for a moment before she responded wheil being peppered by Little Sally with the questions of what was she going to do to Brother Billy.

Mommy drew Little Sally into her embrace and said, "Sally, let me ask you a question...How do you know Billy didn't close his eyes?"

*********************************************

There have been so many times I have pointed the finger at others in judgemnt and criticism and failed to looked at my own faults. Afterall it was so much easier to see "out there" and often times less painful. Thankfully, as a result fo this recovery journey I can be more accepting of others and their faults becasue they are a reflection of my own.

I can not throw stones, I cannot judge.. I can only change what is within me. I can appreciate the reflecting pond of others because they show me my true self. And once I have allowed the God of my understanding to help me in changing me, I can be more patient and understanding and accepting of others and allow myself to be the example of God working within me.

[SunnyGirl]

BW... I moved this thread from the "Chipping Away"
section, because it felt like a wonderful discussion topic.
Could have left it where it was, because this is something
I think we all work on.

I know that I am guilty of this defect of character....
Coming into recovery, I was a major caretaker and
in rescuing my addicted loved ones. I think it made
me feel important and it definitely did not make
me humble. I could see each and every flaw they
had, but not a one of my own.

On the good days, I'll feel as if I've come so far.....
On the bad days I know I have so much more to learn!
God knows we are not perfect and never will be, but He
is a patient God and never gives up on us.

I loved the mental image of the "Reflecting Pond"....
Yes, I need to work on my patience and to be more
understanding of myself and others.

Thank you for sharing and what a good topic for this
week....

Peace on the journey, SG

[Lin]

I like the visual that when we point a finger at others, we are pointingthree fingers back at ourselves. Many times the things I am seeing in others are things I dont like in myself. I shoudl be more aware and work on my own defects before poibnting out those of others.

LIN

[caressa222]

My sponsor told me many years ago, an alcoholic/addict breaks their own anonymity.

Sally outed herself.

[caressa222]

Judge not, less you be judged. I believe this to ben the Bible.

This is a program of reflection as well as perception.