A Speck or a Log?

“Why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own?” Matthew 7:3 NLT

I look out my kitchen window everyday and see them in the neighbourhood park. I am talking about dogs running freely with tongues hanging and tails wagging. Their owners are throwing balls or sticks for them to fetch, or talking amiably with each other apparently ignoring where their dogs are. Such a happy scene for them, but not for me. As I continue gazing, my temperature is rising. I am fuming! I imagine a conversation/confrontation such as:

Me: “THIS IS NOT A DOG PARK! What gives you the right to take over the park?”
Them: Oh, MY dog is friendly and doesn’t bite.
Me: But I just want to walk peacefully and enjoy the nature in the park. I don’t want to be looking over my shoulder wondering if your dog will run up to me to smell me or jump up to lick my face.
Them: (Glaring, they swear at me and walk away.)

As I turn away from the park scene I wonder why some dog owners blatantly disregard the signs that say, “Dogs must be on leash.”

Recently, words spoken by Jesus strolled through my mind:

“Stop judging others, and you will not be judged. For others will treat you as you treat them. Whatever measure you use in judging others, it will be used to measure how you are judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log from your own eye; then perhaps you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5 NLT

Hmmm. Could this apply to me when I see these dog owners? Of course not! I certainly do not have any behaviors that disrespect others. However . . . maybe God wants to unmask some situations that I need to clean up. What could I possibly do that irritates others? Do I have to admit these things? Ok, I admit I did water the lawn twice this summer when it was not our day. Were my neighbours annoyed? Oh, I do talk on my cell phone when driving. Does that irritate some drivers? Well, I occasionally drive over the speed limit but mostly I stick to the posted speed. I wonder which one frustrates other drivers more. And, I allow myself to get caught up in details unnecessarily. I know that bothers some people!

Well, Lord, I am humbled now! Perhaps I am no better than these dog owners; or people who speed; or drivers who do not stop at stop signs. Forgive my arrogance, Lord. Help me to love the imperfections in others and to change the behaviors in me that irritate others. Fill me with your grace and mercy!