Where do You Stand?

I love fresh fruit —especially for breakfast.

I like to slice and dice apples, melons, strawberries, kiwi, and bananas on a plate, then add blueberries, cherries, raisins, nuts, and a sprinkle of coconut.

For variety, I’ll vary the melons, adjusting to my taste for the day: honeydew, cantaloupe, or watermelon. As appetizing as this all may sound, there are occasions when I reach for the container of strawberries and upon close examination discover that one has started to rot. Disappointed, I discard that one strawberry and begin to select others. But then my heart sinks realizing that those strawberries closest to the rotten one have softened, and they, too, are no good. On mornings like this, if I can savage three to five of this tasty, eye-pleasing fruit, I count myself blessed.

It took only one strawberry to destroy much of the batch. Just one strawberry to spread its bacteria to all the others, causing them to lose their firmness, their beauty, and their taste. I can’t help but view this occurrence in a different way —wondering whether God is trying to show me something. It took only one negative person in heaven, Lucifer, to cause one-third of the heavenly host to lose out on a closeness with the Father. Too often, I have seen the negative effect of just one person’s action or attitude on a meeting, a group project, a committee, or even a congregation to cause rot to occur.

A while back, I was sitting in a meeting observing the discussion of a serious matter. The matter would ultimately determine the direction this committee would take in recommending funding for a much-needed program.

As the discussion proceeded and a positive consensus was about to be reached, one person interjected a negative comment that challenged and ultimately killed the proposal. Enough people chose to believe misstated assumptions rather than clearly articulated facts. Father, make us aware of the impact of the things we say and the actions we take. While we may not see ourselves as leaders of the masses, someone is likely listening and observing us. May our behavior model You so that no one is led astray.

Yvonne Curry Smallwood