And I need to edge the sidewalk in front of my house.
Oh, and roll up the water hose.
And weed the herb garden.
And move that bag of garden soil to the backyard.
It’s been there since June.
I heard someone say this week, “You know, you can tell what a person’s house is like on the inside by looking at how they keep the outside.”
I’ve never really thought about it before, but I have now…a lot! Thank you, person who said this. Just like when I heard a woman say, “It really irk’s me when people don’t shave behind their knees”, I will always think about people looking at my unshaven legs, AND NOW, my unkempt front yard. Geesh!
Words we say have a lot of power. They are forever. Some of them, anyway. Words said in Financial Accounting 201 for me were forgotten before they cleared the lips of my professor, but that’s another type of thing. Words we say in judgement…as circumstantial evidence…as infallible truth – they are sticky boogers, especially if we are the gracious recipient of those with negative, pointy fingers.
Okay, Mr. Observer and person who thinks he might know what the inside of my house looks like based on the fact that my shudders are a little faded and I have some highway grass waving at passersby — Have you ever thought that maybe, just maybe, my priorities are a little different than yours? Have you ever thought that there are more important things in life than giving up a Saturday afternoon for weeding and lawn care? Maybe I didn’t straighten up the front yard before I left today because there was an emergency. Maybe I don’t have enough gas in my car to drive to the trash dump twice a week. Maybe my husband split and I’m struggling with the responsibilities of home maintenance that I’ve been left with. Maybe I’m dealing with sickness, or worse, sickness of a child.
The maybes are endless.
Do not judge based on the outside. Of anything.
Things are rarely what they seem.
And take care in the words you say, lest someone return the favor one day.
the toenail 
Posted by Pattie on October 2, 2012 at 5:27 pm
Wow! I can’t believe someone would say that to you. So sorry that person said his unkind words. ….When I read your words, it makes me think of another writer friend of mine. Your words and hers make me stop and reflect about life and those around me. Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Posted by songbird3 on October 2, 2012 at 6:52 pm
Comment wasn’t made about my yard…but it made me think…”what do people think about me, based on outside observations?”. I mean, I’m guilty myself of judging a book by it’s cover. I really don’t like that human nature/trait – it can be a difficult thing to tame. That “outside inside statement” is something I can apply to all sorts of situations – how someone is driving (next blog, soon!), how parents handle their kids (or vice versa), what churches people attend (or don’t), who talks to whom (or whom they do not talk to)……who’s yard is tidy (do they have a life?) or who’s yard is messy (do they have too much life?)……on and on and on……
Posted by songbird3 on October 2, 2012 at 6:57 pm
And p.s. – I’m sure the person who made that statement didn’t mean harm, but I was reminded of how comments like that can become a thread in the fabric of our lives, whether we want them to or not.
Posted by Niki on October 4, 2012 at 5:33 pm
Who cares about weeds, clean floors ect…it will ALL be gone some day anyway and all that will remain is whether or not the people who crossed over the threshold felt the love of Jesus when they stepped inside! I feel welcomed and loved each time I’ve been to your home…not to mention I think it is one of the most comforting and inviting places I’ve ever been!