The Miserable Misunderstandings…

Sometimes in our thoughtless rushing around we become impersonal and preoccupied things that matter less, and overlook the hearts and needs of people who matter more.

In the sometimes rough abrasiveness of crowded the days and things to do, we well would pause and think upon our lives and loved ones, upon the preciousness and importance to us of people personally, and do some searching of ourselves.

For such times Phillip Brooks has left us some lines that should bring friends and families closer, and more of peace inside ourselves: “You who are letting miserable misunderstandings run on from yeas to year, meaning to clear them up some day;” he said, “You who are keeping wretched quarrels alive because you cannot quite make up your mind that now is the day to sacrifice your pride and [settle] them: You who are passing men sullenly upon the street, not speaking to them out of some silly spite; You who are letting…[someone’s] heart ache for a word of appreciation or sympathy, which you mean to give him someday; If you only could know and see and feel, all of a sudden, the time is short, how it would break the spell! How you would go instantly and do the thing which you might never have another chance to do.”¹

If only we could see how swiftly life goes—how few are the hours—how much less likely we would be to pamper our pride, to fail to take first steps to right old wrongs, fail to shorten distances between us and others; and how less likely we would be to live aloof when hearts are crying to be understood, aching to remove misunderstanding. And how much more honest and at ease we would be, with less pretense, less sparring for position, more willingness to make amends.

We come alone. We leave alone. We are not here long. Oh, if, please God, we could somehow strip away the indifferent aloofness, and sometimes cruel façade, clear up the wretched quarrels and misunderstandings, bring loved ones closer, and so become our better selves.