The other morning as I was backing out of my driveway I saw a couple walking at the last second before I backed out.  I quickly apologized and went on with my day.  No one was harmed and I didn’t even come close to hitting them.  They were simply in my blind spot.  The thing is sometimes we have blind spots not just in our cars but in our spiritual lives as well.  It is important that we have people in our lives to help point out those blinds spots so that we can avoid trouble.  Let’s look together at Proverbs 27 today and reflect on having someone in our life who can help us along the journey of life. 

Let someone else praise you, and not your own mouth;
    an outsider, and not your own lips.

Stone is heavy and sand a burden,
    but a fool’s provocation is heavier than both.

Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming,
    but who can stand before jealousy?

Better is open rebuke
    than hidden love.

Wounds from a friend can be trusted,
    but an enemy multiplies kisses.

One who is full loathes honey from the comb,
    but to the hungry even what is bitter tastes sweet.

Like a bird that flees its nest
    is anyone who flees from home.

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart,
    and the pleasantness of a friend
    springs from their heartfelt advice.

Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family,
    and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—  better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.

Be wise, my son, and bring joy to my heart;
    then I can answer anyone who treats me with contempt.

The prudent see danger and take refuge,
    but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.

Take the garment of one who puts up security for a stranger;
    hold it in pledge if it is done for an outsider.

If anyone loudly blesses their neighbor early in the morning,
    it will be taken as a curse.

A quarrelsome wife is like the dripping
    of a leaky roof in a rainstorm;

restraining her is like restraining the wind
    or grasping oil with the hand.

As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another.

Who do you have in your life that helps to sharpen you?  Sometimes that means encouragement.  Sometimes that means pointing out our blind spots.  It can be a pat on the back or a kick in the backside.  The point is we all need people in our life who have our back and have our permission to be that for us.  If you have someone like that in your life thank them today.  If you don’t seek that out in your life.  We all need it in our life so that we can be the best version of ourselves.

In His Grip,

Pastor Dave