On the Way to Wonder

4 If a ruler’s anger rises against you,

    do not leave your post;

    calmness can lay great offenses to rest.

Ecclesiastes 10:4

We ended last week thinking about the verses at the beginning of Ecclesiastes chapter 10 and the Teacher warning us about dead flies spoiling good perfume and fools walking on the side of the road and not paying attention.  Is there a thread between those verses and the Teacher’s next reflection about an upset boss?  It feels to me as I read it that the person involved feels innocent of doing anything wrong.  That makes me think that the fly of gossip or false accusation flew into the perfume of his good work and messed everything up.  The person feels misunderstood.  I think we can all identify with that.

I have a vivid childhood memory of my father giving my mother a new iron skillet for Christmas.  My father was delighted because it was such a practical and needed gift to make cooking easier for my mother.  My mother was not happy and we could all see the disappointment on her face and in the sharp response of her mouth.  It did not escalate into an accusation conversation as my father somehow soothed my mother’s feathers.  Misunderstandings are like that.  There is some lie hidden under the surface of the event that leads to false interpretations of motives.  The Teacher advises against fleeing, against denial, and advises that we stay calm and continue doing our job responsibly.

In Proverbs 15:1 Solomon advises, “A gentle answer turns away wrath and a harsh word stirs up anger.” This week we will probably all have the opportunity to remind ourselves to think twice and count to ten before we respond with a quick answer.  May we remember that Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.”

Lord we pray for those in our political arena now whose lives are coming under public inspection, we pray for those struggling in relationships struggling with misunderstanding, and may we all guard our mouths,  stay calm and be responsible in our duties.  We need your help.

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