In responding to comments on Off the Left Eye, sometimes I just click "like". There was one last week about how all of our goodness comes from God, that had over 800 comments, most of which were simply "Amen" or a variation of it. There were double amens, emojis of praying hands, and exclamation points. It tickles me that when there is an accent over the e, indicating a Spanish writer, google offers to translate. 

 

But in the midst of a long string of affirmations, one person had a rebuttal. 

 

 "I AM A GOOD PERSON! I GIVE TO CHARITIES! I AM KIND! GOD DOES NOT GET CREDIT FOR MY GOOD HEART!"

 

How about that. The shouting almost leaked through my keyboard. I thought about what to say, and elected to scroll by. There was nothing to be gained by pointing out that the strength to even be generous is a God given gift, and the way he demanded to be heard suggested that he was trying to convince himself. 

 

Sometimes I say dumb things. Not that this person is stupid, but he did remind me of my own empty declarations. I remember a conversation with one of my wise uncles, though to call it a conversation is an embellishment. I was sounding off. While I do not recall any details about what I proclaimed, I remember that he was silent. He smiled just a tad, not in derision but in benevolence. He loved me, and was patient with the mood I was in. There was no harm in my brief tirade. 

 

It is my experience that God does this. He shrugs off those opportunities that crop up, in which He might correct us. No need to pull rank. 

 

If there comes a moment this week in which I could correct someone, and I keep my mouth shut, I will give God all credit.