Did I wound anyone today?  If I haven’t that would be a surprise, walking around with these size twenty, steel-toes and this tongue that scars and judges with lasting effect. Was it cowardly or wise to walk away from an argument from which I could have prevailed and left the other party weeping tears of public humiliation?  Isn’t this life about winning?  Why do I feel alone when surrounded by millions of souls?  Did I miss it, that shining light suspended just around the corner, always a fraction further than I might see?  Are these the emotions of God’s intent or the piteous contemplation’s of a foreigner pining for home?

They matter too much for me to screw up.  There is no room left on the door jamb to make marks indicating those who’ve I’ve bested.  No more space for the awards given a man for stripping others of their pride and making them regret their attempt at success.  That will show them, I hope they get over it.  All the time holding closely the realization of the lasting gashes and tears I left them.  Invisible wounds, except to those close enough to suffer from the personality ripples.  In my moment of conquest have I helped create years of struggle for the family members, spouses and children involved.  Forgive my shortsightedness.  Forgive me for living for my own glory.  I will suffer lasting regret and the shame of a man, like Adam, who knew better and just disobeyed.  There is no greater lasting pain than someone who has hurt their generations.

Father, these treasures, these people you’ve trusted to my care or whom I have accepted the emotive responsibility, let me not fail in their edification and encouragement.  If I may not help them then let me walk with them a listening post, hearing and sharing their burdens.  I beg you to allow me, guide me to being innocent of their wounding.  Keep me conscious of this instrument of pain parked so masterfully in the entryway to my life’s breath and consumption.  Let me remain unobstructed by its detrimental influence.  I so desperately do not wish to be reminded of these hateful actions at the moment of our meeting.  Forgive me now and set me free.  The kind eternal freedom of never having committed the sin in the first place.  Keep me from the dangers of being me and those pains that might be inflicted in the process of remaining in my humanity.

I love you and I love them, let that fact guide everything I do or in the case of my acidic tongue, do not do.  Walk with me keep me from harm, either to myself or others.  Let me begin to reflect your characteristics so that I might know I am closer to home than this foreign land.  In Jesus’ Name I pray.