Yesterday Jack and I were discussing politicians and celebrities, who, after many years in the public eye, ‘fall from grace’. A secret flaw is discovered; they make a bad mistake. Their fault discredits any good they’ve done.
Jack reminded me of Mark Antony’s speech from ‘Julius Caesar’ – that I learnt at school:
Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears;
I come to bury Caesar, not to praise him.
The evil that men do lives after them;
The good is oft interred with their bones;
The bad lives on; we bury the good.
This morning I read Mark 14. The narrative of the Last Supper and Jesus’ arrest includes two characters – Judas who betrayed Jesus to the authorities, and Peter who denied knowing Jesus. That’s how we remember them – Judas the betray-er, Peter the deny-er. Good things are forgotten; we remember their failure.
When I was teaching I was told ‘Catch a child doing something good’. Good teachers deal with misbehaving children; the danger is that the only communication a teacher has with a child relates to their misbehaviour.
‘Catch a child doing something good’ emphasises recognising and praising good things. It wasn’t about ignoring misbehaviour, rather it was seeking a better balance between correction and praise, bad and good.
This morning I met a lady taking her dog for a walk. The dog looked very thin; it appeared jumpy and not used to walking. She explained that it was a Romanian rescue dog that she’d had for a week. Her friend’s dog was well-behaved and looked healthy and cared for; it was a Romanian rescue dog she’d had for two years.
An unwanted nuisance, failure of a dog, with care and patience, can become a loved, cherished pet.
I’m musing on when the bad needs calling out… when I need a better balance between bad and good… when I need to look for good in the bad… when bad can be transformed into good. I’m praying for the wisdom to know the difference.
malcolmsmusings.org 
Jack said he loved that conversation – and top musing again man. Thank you xxxx
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It was a good conversation, John. Thanks.
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Malcolm, I’ve missed your wise words and musings! Amen! A daughter of a friend asked me about how to handle behaviors in 3rd grade. I asked her first if she likes or loves children (honestly, it’s crazy how some say they “love” kids, but enter the career and really…don’t even like them?). I told her it’s easy to let one bad behavior ruin a child’s day. As an administrator for 15 years, teachers would get upset with me if I didn’t “keep” a YOUNG student with me ALL day. Yes, by M.S. kids have more severe issues in which they might need to be separated, but I found the GOOD in them no matter ….what. But our young kids need chances to “reset” their day (for i.e.—if a child hates math and their behavior happens at math time, why not let them rejoin when they might love Science and NEED it?—then praise them during that time).
I saw God as a “punishing” God when I was a little girl. For most of my childhood I never thought I was “good” enough for God. That the “BAD” and my sin would be ALL people would know.
Sorry for going off on a tangent of discipline—but I know you get it, Malcolm
I hope and pray you are well! Take care! Thank you for always keeping me pondering and thinking!
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Thanks, Karla. I’m with you that the starting point for teachers (parents and anyone dealing with children) is that they must like them and enjoy being with them. This then leads to wanting the best for them. My experience was that even children already with a police record had something good and likeable in them.
The people relationship is linked to the God relationship in that it’s based on love, care and wanting the best for the other – and recognising who knows best!
As always it’s great to hear from you. Go well
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With the current events in my life, I need to remember to find the balance by asking God for His wisdom so I can respond to the good and the bad in a way that reflects Him. You’re still a great teacher, Malcolm.
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Thanks, Rachel. People talk about the gifts that God gives us, often emphasising the visible and dramatic. I think the wisdom to see things in perspective, in a balanced way has a lesser profile but is vital for all of us.
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As a fellow educator, I identify with your thoughts, Malcolm. It was also great to read K.L Hale (Karla’s) comment. I once asked a retired principal to principals what was one key to her success. She said, “You have to like people.” She didn’t elaborate, but I’m sure she meant children (students) and adults.
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Since I’ve retired, David, I’ve continued to discover that everybody has something to teach me – which helps. Some folk say that our Christian calling is to love everybody – but we don’t have to like them. I would say that we should learn to like them as well.
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I needed this reminder today, thank you, Malcolm.
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Thanks, Karen. We continue to pray for wisdom.
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