I am not a big fan of gossip. I find it’s neither helpful or nice so I try to avoid it as much as possible. There is, however, another side to gossip that we cannot always avoid, no matter how much we try. This other side came out during a recent visit to a laundromat in the form of a rather loud family. This compact clan of kin was not only airing their dirty jeans and t-shirts, they were busily and voiceferously airing all their personal laundry as well. Family squabble, money issues, even housekeeping chores were discussed loudly and clearly. Love affairs, work woes and petty dislikes were made as public as the morning sky and other than leaving the place, there was no way to avoid overhearing every sad, sordid or silly detail.
Some cultures take personal privacy to great heights of refinement. The “stiff upper lip” syndrome results in a people that share very little information about themselves to others. In a milder form this desire to keep ones business to oneself is called propriety. Propriety demands that we only share what’s necessary about ourselves, only to those who need to know, and in an environment and manner appropriate to the occasion. In an extreme form it can make a person appear to be unfriendly or closed, but when practiced in a healthy, balanced way, a sense of propriety lets us share when we need to share and to listen when we need to listen.
One might consider God, who knows everything about us, has no sense of propriety. Knowing our most intimate details gives God a view into our lives that might be uncomfortable with any one else. God, however, is discrete about how this information is used. For one thing, He doesn’t share it with others. Nor does He use it against us, or to keep us from trying things, even if He knows where those things might lead. Instead God is like a trusted friend who knows us better than we know ourselves. He is there for us when we need to talk. And when we need to be silent, God sits quietly by our side.
Of course, God knows that keeping too quiet is not good for us, so He is always open to our sharing things with Him, and always seeking ways to let us know what He has in mind for us. In some ways, when it comes to God, we need no sense of propriety whatsoever; He is interested in anything we have to say, at any time and about any subject. God very much desires to be part of our lives and to be included in our needs and dreams. This is the only way we can be assured of living to our full potential. But God doesn’t interfere or push His way in. Neither does He listen if our conversation isn’t directed towards Him. God knows when He’s wanted and when He’s not.
There are times and places to share our inner hearts with others. There are times and places to refrain from sharing with others. A laundromat isn’t the best place to have a family conversation that has no limit in subject matter. A quiet conversation with God, however, is always appropriate. His interest in our lives is healthy and holy. God just wants the best for us, whether it’s guiding us along the right path, or just to offer a listening, caring ear. At least that’s the way I see it.
Some cultures take personal privacy to great heights of refinement. The “stiff upper lip” syndrome results in a people that share very little information about themselves to others. In a milder form this desire to keep ones business to oneself is called propriety. Propriety demands that we only share what’s necessary about ourselves, only to those who need to know, and in an environment and manner appropriate to the occasion. In an extreme form it can make a person appear to be unfriendly or closed, but when practiced in a healthy, balanced way, a sense of propriety lets us share when we need to share and to listen when we need to listen.
One might consider God, who knows everything about us, has no sense of propriety. Knowing our most intimate details gives God a view into our lives that might be uncomfortable with any one else. God, however, is discrete about how this information is used. For one thing, He doesn’t share it with others. Nor does He use it against us, or to keep us from trying things, even if He knows where those things might lead. Instead God is like a trusted friend who knows us better than we know ourselves. He is there for us when we need to talk. And when we need to be silent, God sits quietly by our side.
Of course, God knows that keeping too quiet is not good for us, so He is always open to our sharing things with Him, and always seeking ways to let us know what He has in mind for us. In some ways, when it comes to God, we need no sense of propriety whatsoever; He is interested in anything we have to say, at any time and about any subject. God very much desires to be part of our lives and to be included in our needs and dreams. This is the only way we can be assured of living to our full potential. But God doesn’t interfere or push His way in. Neither does He listen if our conversation isn’t directed towards Him. God knows when He’s wanted and when He’s not.
There are times and places to share our inner hearts with others. There are times and places to refrain from sharing with others. A laundromat isn’t the best place to have a family conversation that has no limit in subject matter. A quiet conversation with God, however, is always appropriate. His interest in our lives is healthy and holy. God just wants the best for us, whether it’s guiding us along the right path, or just to offer a listening, caring ear. At least that’s the way I see it.
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