Character Flaw I Must Work On

I’m not like a lot of my senior-citizen friends. Many of them feel they do not have to change anything about themselves at this point in their lives. I’m the opposite. I feel the Lord always expects me to be learning, growing, and changing.

Right now, I must work strongly on one big character flaw I have. I have a tendency to jump in and try to help. At work, it was looked on as “butting in.” It didn’t matter that I had prior experience in a certain area and had something to share on a subject. I had to learn to shut up until asked.

In life, I am the same way. I’m upset with myself tonight because once again, I jumped the gun and tried to help when I shouldn’t have. What is so funny is that I was annoyed last week because a neighbor of mine did the same thing to me.

You all know of my plumbing worries. This neighbor went right at it for me. She called a friend in another state, who called her back with a plumber’s name here in town. She called that person, and had me and him get on the phone in a separate call. Right away, I sensed he did not want to do this. I felt an intense resentment. I eventually convinced him I was okay without him, so that he wouldn’t feel bad. Meanwhile, I was a little annoyed that she hadn’t asked me, first, before she did all of that. Still, I understood that she meant well, that her intentions were good and caring.

So what do I go and do? I do the same thing myself, to a dear friend. I knew about a worry this friend had. I mentioned to this friend that I wanted to email someone about the issue. When the friend didn’t email back, saying “No,” I assumed (yes, I know what “assume” means) that she approved. I sent the email.

Tonight, I get a frantic email asking me to rescind that earlier email. I went nuts trying to douse the fire I had lit. Finally, I got word that everything would be forgotten. And then I kicked myself, hard, for sending that email without getting a firm approval, a firm “go ahead.”

So, this fool must learn to not rush in where angels fear to tread.

Father, you know I am a bit stubborn when it comes to learning the lessons you have tried to teach me. I promise I will try to do better. And thank you so much for pulling my irons out of the fire on this latest mess I almost made.