I'd
Rather Be Righteous Than Right
The Lord rewards every man for his
righteousness and faithfulness.
1 Samuel 26:23
Occasionally my teenagers want help with their math homework. I try not to act too excited but secretly I'm doing the happy dance. There is something so gratifying to me about a good Algebra problem. A few substitutions and manipulations then...voila you get the right answer. I just LOVE it when I'm right!
Truth be told I like to be right in other areas of my life as well.
Like when I share droplets of wisdom with my husband that he rejects but they turn out to be pearls.
Or when I offer my best mommy warning just prior to my kids disobeying and reaping the natural consequence.
This morning I wonder though do I really want to be right or do I want to be righteous.
I would rather honor my husband with my actions and words than win an argument.
I delight when I see obedience in my children so much more than saying, "I told you so."
To be righteous is to have a right standing with God and men. It is cultivating the long-term yield instead of close relationship instead of the short-term satisfaction of "right". Today I choose to righteous instead of right.
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Great perspective!!!!
ReplyDeleteMy DH and I lead a parenting small group at our church. We're studying how to build that relationship with our kids. This is the heart of the message and our prayer for our group -- and us!
Just stopping in to say hello Becky Jane. Hope you have a great weekend.
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Karen, so cool! What a great study. I'm sure it will be transforming for every one of you!!!
ReplyDeleteMy Journey, hey girlie, I haven't visited with you in forever. So thankful you stopped by Becky Jane's on the day I just so happen to be here. I'm coming right over for a visit!
ReplyDeleteGood post!! When we want to be right all the time, we can win the battle, but lose the war! Why make such a big deal of it when we know it will make the other person feel bad, that is not what life is about.
ReplyDeleteVery well said. I fall into that being right trap. I even tell Hubs that I love being right, jokingly but not really ;D
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful point to make. It is so easy to want to be right and much harder to be righteous.
ReplyDeleteit's important to walk on the path that makes you feel at one with the world :)
ReplyDeleteThis made me think since I want to be right...but would rather be righteous
ReplyDeleteOh a truth that needs to be active daily in my life....I think most folks enjoy the moment of being proven "right" over an arguement...how we gloat....
ReplyDeleteI love this inspiring post, especially the part about honoring our husband with our words…that is so beautiful!
ReplyDelete@Ginny, "win the battle but lose the war" - you are right on. One perspective is short term and the other long term.
ReplyDelete@SocialStudies - lol! Who doesn't love being right. ;)
@Grandma Bonnie, righteousness is definitely the road less traveled and one I need to make more tread marks on!
@Samantha, thanks so much for your comment!
@Kim, thankfully I've up long enough to think straight. With four kids that doesn't always happen! ha!
@Rhonda - my heart is so guilty of gloating. Instead I can glorify Him though!
@Penelope, thank you so much. I want to honor my husband with both actions and words...even when he doesn't deserve it!
I love algebra too and enjoyed helping my kids with it.
ReplyDelete@Becky, it's so very true that we need to walk with God with all that's right about his word. Can't wait to check out Shannon's post.
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