You’re armed and dangerous – sharp knife, chopping board and the most important ingredient…a cool ripe mango! You let the knife slice either side of this huge fruit, whilst the mind and mouth are beginning to salivate. You wipe the dribble from the corner of your mouth. Some quick cross cuts and the delectable morsel is ready for consumption.

Upon picking up one side you settle into the pure bliss of eating for several minutes as juice begins to run out the corners of your mouth and down your arms. You’re almost in heaven!

But the other day my whole ‘mango’ experience was shattered by a friend. She, who grew up in North Queensland where mangoes grow profusely, screwed up her nose and almost dry-reached at the thought of this tropical delicacy. What sacrilege, I thought! It was almost a sin…and then I listened to her story!

As a child she spent many hours outside, playing under cool shady coverage of the mango trees. However, during mango season the rotting fruit lay strewn across the lawn, and she was given the daily task of picking up the dropped and spoiled fruit!

Now I understand! The hatred she had for this luscious produce was because of her previous experience.

How many times have you thought yourself totally correct, and then, through listening to someone else’s viewpoint, discovered a completely different stance? You’ve received a revelation?

Here is some wise instruction to balance your opinion against others…

“Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed.” James 5:16

TODAY…consider the mango, and how it looks to someone else!

Bruce Wadd brucewadd@todaysthought.sharesong.org