Stay In Your Own Dog Dish
Take a listen to Proverbs 26:17:
"Like a fool who grabs a mad dog by the ears is the one who meddles in someone else's business."
Get a grip on that picture: A guy has a tight hold on a dog by the ears who is now quite angry. He can't hold on and can't let go. Now, he's stuck. The proverb says we can get just as stuck in a no-win situation when we wade in on a matter we aren't involved in. Stuck.
OK, occasionally I'm guilty as charged.
Sometimes I wade in, moved by a desire to help, but truth be told, other times...I'm just meddling. Either way, I often regret diving into a situation not mine. The best intentions can be misunderstood and resented. We are called to be peace-brokers, but there is a fine line between bringing folks together and meddling. Meddling and voyeurism seem to be cousins, as some find perverse fun in looking in on other people's troubles, call it the Jerry Springer effect. Truth be told, sometimes we just like being close to the action, but not in it...until we are.
A good friend likes this line "stay in your own dog dish," and I remember it as often as I contemplate wading into some situation in which I'm not directly involved. And there I stand, ready to grab ears of a not-so-friendly Rottweiler. Stopping for a beat or two gives time to look again at the situation and see if my, or any, input is best for all. I may feel better if I jump in, but is it for the best, or am I just liking being in the mix? When it is the latter, I'm best staying in my own dog dish.
These situations call for wisdom over knowledge.
Just enough knowledge can be a dangerous thing. A person sees, then quickly evaluates a situation, and thinks they know just how the players might best navigate through their troubles. With a partial picture, well-meaning friends stride into a mess, and often end up like the guy with the angry dog. Stuck.
Wisdom takes in the setting, assesses ways to resolve the matter, then might join in at the right time, if asked. Wisdom waits and ponders. Wisdom enjoys the benefit of perspective. Wisdom doesn't need to be the solver of every problem, or even most of them. When asked, they carefully offer ideas to consider. And not stuck holding the ears of a mad dog.
So, one question comes to mind: How do I grow in wisdom? While studying the bible, reading helpful books, listening to creative podcasts, or attending seminars can give knowledge and truth to learn, Wisdom is the art of applying what we know into the circumstances we face. While I don't claim to be routinely wise, I have my moments (and so do you!). Below are five practical ideas I have heard on how to grow in wisdom:
RPD: Read Proverbs Daily and copy down one or two verses that strike you (like the one at the top of this note).
BTC: Buy The Coffee for someone you respect and pick their brain on how to do life, at least once each month.
LTS: Look To Serve in simple and costly ways (remember Jesus equated service with greatness).
ABL: Always Be Learning from the life you live, good and bad, wins and losses.
PWC: Pray Without Ceasing is a biblical challenge that really is a mindset that sees God in all we do.
In the meantime, let's learn to stay in our own dog dish more times than not.
Time for some music...
And an Army funny for the road...
Youngest son: "Hey, everybody: I went to the Army recruiter's office today and signed up!"
Eldest son (amazed): "No way! That's a big deal, bro."
Middle son (dubious): "I dunno, I hear training is tough. You think you'll make it?"
Father (misty-eyed): "I'm proud of you, Son."
Mother (serious): "Do you really plan to make your own bed every morning?"