The Dangers of Gossip and a Sanctimonious Attitude

1) gossip. The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000.
...Rumor or talk of a personal, sensational, or intimate nature.

2. A person who habitually spreads intimate or private rumors or facts.

3. Trivial, chatty talk or writing....

They say public confession is good for the soul so I am going to indulge a little here.

A few weeks ago I posted a message Beware of The Gossip . This is an issue which is near and dear to my heart because I have personally experienced how hurtful it can be. Therefore, I am normally very good about avoiding the tendency to gossip and people who indulge in it as a hobby. However since I have not yet evolved into the woman I strive to be, I occasionally slip into the act of gossiping just like everyone else.

Several days ago I received a call which was primarily to make me aware of a sad event. However during the course of the conversation the caller offered an invitation to indulge in a little family gossip. You know -- the kind of gossip that involves two or more family members
getting together and pointing out everything they know about another family member's shortcomings. :o)

Well, having been on my family's gossip topic menu for many years, I was able to resist the invitation to gossip, change the subject and get the point across that I really didn't care to discuss the matter. Yet, the next day I was still a little annoyed about the call and quite frankly
feeling a little sanctimonious.

After all a dog that will bring a bone will also carry one!

and,

If someone talks about someone to you that means that they talk about you to someone else!

and

Christians should not be going around gossiping about people's past or presents shortcomings. After all Christ died so we could all be forgiven
and God would no longer remember our sins!

Right!

And while all of this is true, can you tell that my self-righteous attitude was setting myself up for a lesson?

Well a few days later I was outside doing a little gardening and stopped to play with a neighbor's grandchild. My neighbors and I conversed for a few moments and as it often occurs when three women get together the conversation drifted into the latest neighborhood gossip.

I just could not resist catching up on the latest news and adding an item of my own. Well as soon as I got my little news item out of my month, BANG!!!! I caught myself. It was time to finish my gardening and go back into my home.

So much for my sanctimonious attitude :o)

This truly is a day by day journey.