ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
October 28, 2026
A few days back, I purchased a new bottle of shampoo. It was one of those rather large ones, as the price was good. Of course, as you can probably guess, I don’t need to use much shampoo as there is not a lot of hair to actually shampoo. So a big bottle lasts me a very long time. I had set it right by the door of the shower, but forgot to grab it as I was getting in. So I reached back out with soapy hands to get it, but because my hands were slippery, it dropped right on my little toe. It didn’t touch the second one over. The little toe took the full brunt of the impact. To those reading this, it will come as no surprise that it really hurt, though I was pleased that no bad words came from my mouth (I might have thought a few).
Later in the day, I got to thinking about how such a small thing can hurt so much. It is a little like a tooth problem. That tooth is pretty small as compared to the rest of your body, but when it decides to have a problem, it is not going to give you any quiet time. Of course, unless you’ve experienced it, you don’t really understand. There can be a lack of empathy. For me, this is a good reminder of how something small from my vantage point might be excruciatingly painful for someone else. My insensitive side might be thinking, “Get over it. It’s only…” Yet for that person, it is not small, and like the tooth, cannot be ignored. As I shared in yesterday’s Etching, there is something about gifting people with space and time to share their specific story. This isn’t to suggest that being heard solves all problems or heals all wounds, but being ignored or to have one’s pain dismissed as insignificant has never produced anything positive. One of the ways we can show kindness to one another is to listen without judgement.
Holy God, you have listened to me ramble in my prayer time, even in those moments when I wasn’t too sure what I needed. You listened with kindness and mercy, and for that I am thankful. May I offer that same gift to another. Amen.
