Pull Out the Plank

“Thank heavens, it’s finally Friday!” Melissa exclaimed, setting down her book bag. “On Monday, Jesika got mad at another student’s comment.

Today she was still playing that same whiny off-key string, and it’s been so-o-o unmitigatedly wearing. She can’t change what happened and just wasted energy all week for nothing. It makes me mad just thinking about it.” “It is wearing, undeniably and unequivocally,” I replied. I can use big words too. “I guess you can’t fix stupid.” Melissa sighed heavily. “Right again,” I said, “if by ‘stupid’ you mean exhibiting behaviors that do no one any good and result in negative outcomes. Only the person displaying the behaviors can change them—can ‘fix stupid,’ as you put it. About your getting mad, what’s the difference between Jesika getting mad and then you getting mad at Jesika for her getting mad at another student?” “Yikes. When you put it that way, it’s blatantly ridiculous, that’s what,” Melissa exclaimed.

“Doing the same thing—just for a different reason.” Pause. “You never do that.” “I wish!” I said, grimacing. “We all do that, at least sometimes. Fortunately I do it much less frequently than I used to. Unfortunately I did it just the other day.” “Do tell!” Melissa said, assuming a cross-legged “I’m-listening, keep-talking” position. “I got upset at some news I heard over the car radio. Caught myself. Realized what I was doing. Pulled the plank out of my eye and was grateful I was by myself.” I chuckled ruefully. “Then what did you do?” Melissa asked, readjusting her position on the carpet. “I told the Lord, ‘Thank You for bringing this to my attention and for giving me the desire and energy to change my thoughts’—to ‘fix stupid,’ as you put it. Jesika wasted energy all week for nothing. How much have you wasted, also for nothing?” “A lot!” Melissa acknowledged, turning on her iPad. In a moment she read aloud, “ ‘You hypocrite. First pull the plank out of your own eye,’ . . . hmm-m-m. Guess this was a problem in Bible times too. Well, I’m pulling out my plank. Jesika can handle her own speck.” “Good decision,” I said. “For both of us.”

Arlene R. Taylor