The rest of the story...

Well, the rest of the library story is that AFTER I had spent several days turning my house nad van upside down looking for the book that I was pretty ding-dang sure I had already turned in, I visited the library, ready to do battle. I was going to search the library shelves until I found that book myself and then ask that they remove all the fines from my account. When I got there, the employees were busy, so I just logged on the computer and checked my account. There was no record of the book. I asked the ladies at the counter about it, and was told, "Oh, if it's not on your account, then it's been found." Nice. Could you have dropped me a line to let me know before I wasted good time looking for it? Before you caused me to doubt my fool-proof plan to keep my children from losing library books? But the good part is that I do not have to fight with the library, which is close to city hall. And you know what they say about city hall. And also I was right. And my faith in my library book return system is restored. I'm sorry I doubted you.

So I Need to Quit Bugging the Q-Tip Man

I have a friend who had not posted since two days before I had lasted posted. We pestered him unmercifully until finally he posted again. So it occurs to me that I live in a glass house, and really shouldn't throw stones.

But my life, like yours, is crazy busy. And somehow taking care of my children takes precedence over blogging. At least I still have these types of priorities straight.

I'm still learning a lot about how to speak the truth in love. I'm learning that sometimes you can speak the absolute truth and even mean in it love, but if you don't package the message in a way that communicates compassion (even strong, no-nonsense compassion), then it probably won't have the intended effect. If your harshness provokes defensiveness in someone, then he or she has to work through that defensiveness in order to hear your message. Don't clog up your communication channel any more than you have to. I think that's why Proverbs 15:1 says, "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. " Don't stir up the anger already...ask questions instead of accusing...consider that you may not have all the information you need to form an opinion or judgment.

And, in unrelated news, what do you do when you are quite certain that you returned a library book but they say you didn't? It's not like I can prove I returned it...I don't have the book to show you! You have it!!!