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This morning we had the challenge of removing some logs from between the old house and the garage where they had been lying for the last four years. They had stayed put simply because they were really heavy and we simply didn’t know what to do with them.

As I looked at the logs it reminded me of the plank and sawdust syndrome (Matthew 7:3-5) which can be magnified when you live abroad. Many couples have this problem even when they live on their own soil! We may criticize our spouse regarding issues in their life when we have issues in our own.

When I read this passage in The Message version I found it pretty helpful.

A Simple Guide for Behavior

 1-5 "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults— unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It's easy to see a smudge on your neighbour’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, 'Let me wash your face for you,' when your own face is distorted by contempt? It's this whole travelling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbour.