I
was telling my friend about all of these clothes, and he said, “Why do you
still have all of those?”
“Well,
I don’t know. Just hangin’ onto them” I
said.
He
looked me in the eye and said, “You’re hoarding.”
His words were a slap.
He
was right. My husband and I were done
having kids, and I just couldn’t bear to part with all those ruffles and
memories.
My friend’s words burrowed
deep, and I couldn’t escape them.
A
few days later I pulled out a few favorite items and gave the rest of the
clothing away to friends who needed the hand-me-downs. Several years later I talked to one friend
who had several daughters. She said all
of her girls had worn and were still wearing those clothes, and she was so
thankful I had shared.
Proverbs
23:9 (NIV) says, “Don’t speak to a fool, for he will despise the insight of
your words.”
I
appreciate that my friend spoke words of criticism to me. I’m glad I listened to his insight and gave
instead of hoarding. I don’t want to be
a fool. I hope I’m never too proud and
stubborn to accept a hard word and allow it to change me, even if
hearing the word stings for a bit.
How
do you respond to constructive criticism?
I might have a small bin that keeps getting bigger with a few baby girl outfits. :)
ReplyDeleteConstructive criticism is always hard for me when I have my prideful walls up. I pray every day for a humble heart.