A few weeks ago I woke up early Sunday Morning at my brother’s house.  It had rained the night before and I was enjoying a nice walk as the sun rose slowly in the Alabama sky.  I took a path that was unfamiliar to me as I tip toed slowly through the soggy grass.  Then as I knelt to go under the tangle of briers and vines which were blocking my way I was introduced to my strange weeping friend, the Devils Walking Stick.

        I guess this plant got that name because of its bizarre and dangerous dagger like thorns that cover its cruel exterior.  I stood and watched the water from last nights rain slowly collect and fall leisurely to the damp earth below as gravity did its steady work.  As I gazed at this timeless spectacle my thoughts were drawn to the plants namesake, Satan and to the meaning of that name; the accuser.  He has been in the business of criticizing and faultfinding ever since his fall and business has been good.  Of course today he has recruited many laborers to help him and unfortunately he has trained them well; and when you add up those who only work part-time he definitely has plenty of help.

        Being critical and faultfinding may seem like a harmless activity at first, but it never ends well.  Not only for the one being criticized but much more so for the one doing the accusing.   Because, if you are pleased at discovering other peoples faults, you will be displeased at finding their good qualities.  And sadly if you spend your time looking for the negative, the dirty and the bad that is exactly what you will find in life.  The question is not what a man can scorn, or disparage, or find fault with, but what he can love and value and appreciate.  The person who wants to blame and find fault with those around him will find even the sugar sour and displeasing.

        It has been my experience that the people who are always pointing their fingers at the faults of others rarely find time to hold out their hands to help those in need.  Their time is consumed with placing blame; they blame the man who is silent, they blame the man who speaks too much, and they blame the man who speaks too little.  Let us rather invest our time in the lives of people, building them up, encouraging, supporting, cheering and consoling; instead of tearing them down being critical, accusing and finding fault.  As long as we belittle, we will be little and we cannot hold a person down without staying down with him.  Remember encouraging like faultfinding is a choice; choose wisely.

Something to think about:

• One of the hardest things to take is one of the easiest things to give—criticism.

• If you must criticize, try criticizing the fault instead of the person.

• Don’t waste time criticizing conditions—improve them.

• A friend is someone who knows all our faults but still loves us.

• The best way to criticize the other fellow’s work is to do yours better.

• If it is true what they say about you—do something about it. If it is not true, forget it!

• He who seeks a faultless friend is friendless.

• To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.

Be quick to praise, slower to criticize.
Rickey Moore