Misguided Zeal

Misguided Zeal

This is what you must do: Tell the truth to each other. Render verdicts in your courts that are just and that lead to peace.

Zechariah 8:16

Michelle plopped the lamb chops into the skillet to brown, then halved the fresh apricots and chopped the onions, all the while glancing at the clock. Charles would arrive in an hour. Sighing, she wished she hadn’t promised to make this complicated dish tonight, but he always raved when she served curried lamb and apricots. His job kept him on the road and in restaurants much of the time, so when he was in town, she didn’t want to disappoint him.

She smiled, remembering how she had studied her cookbooks before that first dinner and then settled on the exotic-sounding dish. That night, she had watched Charles closely as he took the first bite. How relieved she had been when he said, “This is really good. Really. In fact, these are the best chops I’ve ever had.”

Even though she had had a long meeting at work, she wanted Charles to understand that he was important to her—important enough to fuss over. Besides, she was convinced that he was working up to the Big Question, and she wanted nothing to stand in the way.

She sautéed the onions in butter, then added the flour, salt, milk, and curry, stirring all the while. As the sauce began to bubble, she added the mushrooms, then poured the mixture over the chops and apricot halves she had arranged in a baking dish. There! Now to toss the salad while the chops baked.

It was a good thing she had set the table last night after Charles called to confirm tonight’s date. But, of course, that was so much like him. He truly is the nicest guy in the world, she thought. And worth every minute I have to spend preparing this dish.

Just as the oven timer went off, the doorbell rang. —SANDRA

Lord, so often in my attempts to please others, I hear only what I want to hear. Help me to ask for your wisdom and discernment so I can hear beyond mere words.

A half-truth is a dangerous thing, especially if you have hold of the wrong half.

—MYRON F. BOYD (1932–1978), RADIO PASTOR AND FREE METHODIST BISHOP