They say (they, being the old folks and the country singers and the not-so-old-or-country folks who repeat without examination) that the road to hell is paved with good intentions.
I know that it's not.
Just the opposite, in fact.
Picture this -- The Publisher's Clearing House Prize Patrol shows up at your door with one of those big checks. You intend to use the money to rebuild a war-ravaged village. But... the supplies get lost on the way and are intercepted (and used) by a terrorist organization. Brimstone for lunch? Probably not.
Imagine this -- You want to thank you neighbors for being so kind to you for many years by building them an in-ground swimming pool. Once the digging starts, the workers discover that the property was the sight of an ancient burial ground. Your neighbors are forced to leave the home that they love. Eternal damnation? I don't think so.
Okay... so... maybe when OUR good intentions take a detour it's not quite as extreme or bizarre. They can spin, though, and cause a series of misunderstandings that would put the "Three is Company" writing crew to permanent shame.
Have you ever had a child surprise you with breakfast in bed only to get up later and find a three-hour cleaning project added to you daily chores?
Or a friend offer you well-intended advice that hits a sore spot or backfires altogether?
If you know somebody's heart -- if you know their intentions -- look there first. We're all in this together, and every one of us if fighting a hard fight.
I believe that when God looks at our lives he looks at the hearts -- at our intentions. Because we have been shown mercy in this way, we can be merciful people. Who am I to cross His line in the sand when it comes to other people's lives?
Just a thought.
"If you judge people, you have no time to love them."
"If you ever make a mistake in judgment, let it be on the side of mercy."
~Mother Teresa
