Acknowledging our shortcomings helps us grow

Perhaps you know I am on vacation with my wife Kathy. Last October we planned to visit my family this January, after the Christmas rush was over. We are in Florida and have already spent time with my dad, my sister and brother in law; and one of my three brothers. On Sunday our whole family and lots of nieces and other relatives will also gather. We are fortunate to have a big family where we all enjoy each other’s company. That is a blessing from God.

One thing that happens in our family is that we also pick on one another. (I am telling you this for a reason.) I think we grew up that way. My grandfather and other older relatives sort of picked on each other as a way to say, “I’m noticing you. You’re funny. I love you anyway.” This behavior has been handed down through the generations. Lots of families act in this manner. Maybe yours does too. Like I said, I tell you this for a reason.

While on vacation I have also done some fishing and golfing in the five days we have been here and I posted a picture online of a fish, a crappie I caught in the Santa Fe River. One of our Facebook friends and church elder, Donita Odland, commented that it was nice to see a picture of a fish instead of a picture of me napping at the computer.

You see, over the years my children have enjoyed picking on their dad. Most kids do. They learned this behavior from their mom, and of course also from me. Since cell phones and Facebook have become part of our lives, my children have started posting pictures of me napping with the computer in my lap. It is a little embarrassing. Perhaps they are saying that I encourage them to work hard, but, “Look at you. You’re resting.”

Maybe they just like picking on Dad. But my family has been posting these embarrassing pictures for a number of years. My wife first posted such a picture over six years ago. My daughter has also posted pictures of me napping. My son Tim has posted one such picture this past Christmas Day, which he has since taken down. On a previous family visit to Florida in 2011, even one of my nieces posted a picture of me napping with the computer in my lap. Do you see a pattern?

So, we were at my sister’s house on Friday. I had golfed and then eaten and was checking e-mail. In my e-mails, a lot of people were commenting on the fish picture I put on Facebook. I guess I fell asleep at the computer again for about two or three minutes. But, when I spoke, Kathy said, “You’re back with us again.” I pointed out it was just a short nod and then replied that I was looking at messages about the fish picture I shared. I mentioned to Kathy and Martha that in one of those messages Donita had mentioned it was nice to see a fish picture instead of an embarrassing nap picture. Then, my sister replied, “I’m trying to post one right now.” Ugh!

This is not a deep theological devotion, I’m on vacation. But there are a couple of spiritual truths in this story. First, it is nice to have people care about you and let you know they are watching you, even if they do so by picking on you in a gentle way. Thanks for caring Rockey family!

Second, all of us have habits and behaviors which are embarrassing. We all have our shortcomings and failings. In fact, in all our lives there are behaviors that rebel against God and hurt others. We are all sinners.

When confronted with our embarrassing behaviors, or our weaknesses, or our sins, it does no good to deny or ignore those shortcomings and failures. The best thing to do is to admit them. We are all sinners and confession really is good for the soul.

Perhaps, we don’t need to do anything about some of our personal peculiarities. I’m not sure that if I stopped napping at the computer the world would be a better place. But it is good to admit that we are all fallible. And, sometimes when we admit our shortcomings, or faults, or sins, we can work on ourselves and grow in our relationship with God and with one another. We all have room to grow!

There is only one who is perfect, Jesus. 1 John 2:1-2 says: “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense — Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.”

In other words, all of us have faults and we need a Savior. We have the Savior we need in Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. All of us need to be loved, so God gives us family to (ahem) notice one another.

Jonathan Rockey is pastor at St. John Lutheran Church in Palmer.