Who's to Blame? You've Got to be Kidding!

The Bloviator Queen

 "I therefore...urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit" (Eph. 4:1-2, English Version).
   
     "Xavier" knows all one can know about anything and has no fear in spewing his knowledge to whomever he wills (whether or not the listener wills). I taught Sunday morning Bible studies during his tenure in Malone, and Xavier loved to argue points with me. Yikes. In public, during a Bible study.
     During this time period, my church assigned us to home groups where we met to study and build one another up in our Christianity. Guess who shared mine? I discovered during this time, it didn't matter who taught a lesson, Xavier fought its points. He loved to expostulate on everything he was an expert on. And I never found an area in which he wasn't an expert.
     I knew I had to live at peace with all men. I needed to love the brethren, so I needed help. I called my pastor (I'll call him Al). I told him, in confidence, my problems with Xavier, and that I needed to prayer to change so that I could maintain the unity of the spirit. On the phone he prayed with me. That night I headed off to home group, and for the first time in several years, Xavier did not annoy me.
    From that moment on, he never did. I quit arguing with him, quit asserting my point of view and all friction dissipated.
     During this time we would periodically share communion with each other. If we had an issue with an individual, we'd take our bread, approach the person and talk it through. Xavier approached me.
     "Carol," he said. "You used to be arrogant and overbearing, but you've changed. I've seen tremendous growth in you."
      Me? I was a bloviator? I nearly choked as I took the bread he offered. It's you, not me! Still I sputtered--but fortunately, only internally. Outwardly, I remained gracious and thanked him.
     I cannot change others, but I can change myself. It usually takes time and practice to change, but In that phone call to Al, God changed a key component of my personality instantly. I need not worry about another's character. I need to concern myself with me.
     Now I need the same miracle with "Cordelia."