I Told You So
I don’t care who you are, I TOLD YOU SO are not words that are well received. Nobody likes to hear those words, even if we know the person is right! I have known people who will invent different scenarios just in case there is a small chance they get the opportunity to say, I TOLD YOU SO!
I have done my best through the years to look at things differently. I have certainly had my moments where I acted or spoke and there was no need to. We've all had those moments when we look back and want to kick ourselves.
Ephesians 4: 2
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
I remember years ago, my son and I were walking around the mall and decided to take a break. As we were sitting on a bench, I asked him if he would shake my hand. When he did, I explained to him that shaking a person’s hand is an honest gesture of acknowledgment. I told him, it is important not to bury the person’s hand; but to grasp it firmly, shake it, and let them know you are honestly glad to meet them. We got up from the bench and no more than 2 minutes later, a colleague of mine came up to us. As I introduced my son, the man shook his hand. The next thing the man said to my son was, "Nice handshake, young man."
I can still remember the look my son gave me to this day!
In Romans Chapter 5: 3-5
3 Not only so, but we[a] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
Each time we fall short, God is preparing us and molding us into the people he knows we can be.
So, this week is the week that has been set aside for us to step back and count all the blessings God has given us. Scripture says:
Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
We will gather around family and friends the next 5 weeks and sometimes those with strong personalities will “Get on our Nerves,” and many will want to be right and say I TOLD YOU SO!
This is not a time for right and wrong. This is a time to gather with many unique personalities and be thankful for the blessings we have.
A friend of mine has a quote that says “Quit griping that your stuff is tearing up! Be thankful you have stuff”. Step back and take your eyes off all the "stuff" and look at all the people around you that you have the opportunity to share your life with. God has blessed us.
So, the next time you have the urge to say I TOLD YOU SO, step back and see if this can be a moment of trust, admiration, or clarity. When you say I TOLD YOU SO, it is for your personal benefit? Does it make the other person feel less? Somehow, that does not feel like the right thing to do!
Have a great Holiday Season,
Mike