On several occasions recently I experienced some trouble with my eyes. It occurred as I prepared to go out for the day. I’m not sure what but something foreign got into my eye causing it to burn, itch and water uncontrollably. It didn’t last long, I suppose because the watering of my eye washed out the foreign substance. It was certainly uncomfortable.

If someone had asked me during those minutes of discomfort to see what was in her eye, I would have had to decline. I could barely keep my eye open, let alone focus on what might be in another’s eye.

Beauty tip for today: take care of your own eyes before trying to help someone else.

⁴¹“And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? ⁴²How can you think of saying, ‘Friend, let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.”

Luke 6:41-42

This admonition from Jesus is all about proper perspective. It’s much easier to point out the faults in another than to take responsibility for our own struggles. Yesterday I spoke with a friend regarding a counseling appointment. She said it was good but she didn’t get quite as much pity as she wanted. I was impressed with her honesty. It made her squirm to take responsibility for her own junk rather than point out the speck in the other’s eye. I applauded her willingness to do the hard work of personal renovation. That’s courageous!

What do you need to do to take responsibility for your own junk today? Is it easier to point fingers or put the blame on another? The truly beautiful thing is to get rid of your own junk and I bet the interest in someone else’s junk won’t be quite as appealing.