Joel M Bradshaw

11One who loves a pure heart and who speaks with grace

will have the king for a friend.–Proverbs 22

I was verbally bullied in middle school and high school, and I never fought back. Inside I was devising words to say and responses to give. With my friends we would have verbal sparring sessions where we would intentionally tear each other down with our words. I justified it by telling myself I was just coping or “growing a thick skin.” And then I read a proverb like the one above.

I didn’t have a pure heart. The cool kids would never know my inward struggle, but it wasn’t purity. I sadly, though a Christian, had some of the filthiest language among my friends. I didn’t value inward purity. In fact, I remember making fun of some of my (even more religious) classmates who did. I think I even nicknamed one of them “Jesus.” I think I would love that nickname today! I still feel bad about that, yet have never run into him in order to make amends.

I’ve had to learn to speak with grace rather than being responsive and retaliatory. I struggle with this. But this means that I actually do struggle. When I have the wrong attitude, I own it and ask for forgiveness.

The king could represent anyone in power in your life. It’s as if to say employers and leaders value character and grace on their teams. To be known as someone who makes good moral choices and who has the self-control to respond to situations well is a good thing.

This proverb was challenging and encouraging for me. I have come a great distance, but still have miles to travel. How about you?–JMB