Monday, February 15, 2016

LIVING WITH A LEFT-HANDER


Yup.

"The Hub" is a proud left-hander.

A southpaw.

And I can always tell when he's been out-and-about in the house.

My just-cleaned blouses are hung up in the opposite direction.  Dusted decorative elements on our shelves are replaced backwards.  The TV remote is on the left-hand side of the recliner.

I find it kind of endearing.


Here's some fun facts about lefties:

1. Only about 10% of the population is left-handed.  And women, by a margin of 4%, are more likely to be right-handed.  (Interesting sidenote, though: Women, by a margin of 100%, are more likely to be right...ahem)

2. August 13th is "Left Handers' Day."

3. In Latin, the word for left is sinister, related to the noun sinistrum.

4. The word left in English comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lyft, which means weak or broken.  The Oxford English Dictionary defines left-handed as meaning crippled, defective, awkward, clumsy, inapt, characterized by underhanded dealings, ambiguous, doubtful, questionable, ill-omened, inauspicious, and illegitimate.  (Poor lefties – they have really gotten a bad rap throughout history!)

5. The German for "left-handed" is linkisch, which means awkward, clumsy, and maladroit.  In Italian, the word is mancino, which is derived from "crooked" or "maimed" (mancus) and is also used to mean deceitful or dishonest.  In Russian, to be called a left-hander (levja) is a term of insult.

6. Although approximately 90% of all humans are right-handed, cats, rats, and mice that show handedness seem to be equally split between right- and left-pawedness.  (I think Marty's a rightie...)

7. Studies have suggested that left-handers are more talented in spatial awareness, math, and architecture.  ("Honey, where are my keys?")  Right-handers tend to be more talented verbally.  ("Oh, here they are, on the etagere.")

8. Many people who are left-handed draw figures that face to the right.  (Which explains all the right-facing cartoon figures that "The Hub" draws for me!)

9. Researchers postulate that the proportion of left-handers has remained constant for over 30,000 years.

10. When placed on their tummies, right-handed babies tend to turn their heads to the right.  Left-handed babies usually turn their heads to the left or they don't show any preference.

11. Mothers who are over 40 at the time of a child's birth are 128% more likely to have a left-handed baby than a woman in her 20's.  (And, 128% more tired...)

12. Left-handedness runs in families. Lefties in the British royal family include the Queen Mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Charles, and Prince William.


The list of famous "lefties" reads like a very eclectic "Who's Who" – including such "baddies" as Jack the Ripper, John Dillinger, and Osama bin Laden, but also the following "goodies":

Benjamin Franklin, Alexander the Great, Thomas Jefferson, Aristotle, Leonardo da Vinci, Michaelangelo, Julius Caesar, Mozart, Beethoven, Albert Einstein, Madame Curie, Mark Twain, Helen Keller, and Gandhi.

Not to mention celebrities like Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, Whoopi Goldberg, Judy Garland, Marilyn Monroe, and Robert deNiro.  And money-makers like John D. Rockefeller and Bill Gates.

Our current president is a lefty, too!

I have heard it said that handedness is largely controlled by the opposite side of the brain.  So, if you consider that, lefties are actually the only people in their right minds!!

(But don't tell "The Hub" that…)


If you recall, I earlier said that I find my husband's *leftiness* endearing.

But, I also have been known to point out to him that he does things "backwards."

Yes, that"s my "right" perceptions talking!

But honestly, I've been thinking about this whole issue of *differentness*and our bias against those who do indeed think, act, speak, behave, look, dress differently than we do.

How easy it is to pass judgment on others.

Now, I'm not talking about matters of right and wrong here.

God is quite specific on certain matters.

I'm talking about differences that don't, and really shouldn't, matter.

In a world where tolerance is touted as an all-important value, it's interesting to me that at the same time there seems to be more and more hatred brewing.

An interesting juxtaposition, but so human.

Even in the Garden of Eden, there was trouble brewing.

Once Adam and Eve introduced sin to the world, I'm sure they started arguing over their differences.

Adam probably refused to ever ask for directions, and Eve most likely bought too many shoes…

And didn't Cain kill Abel out of jealousy?  And doesn't jealousy have its roots in comparing and judging another person by how they're different than you?

Look at the Pharisees and Sadducees arguing over religious disagreements – and yet, they completely missed Jesus.  

(Hmmm, a modern-day observation, too???)

And who could forget the family feud between the Jews and the Samaritans?


Hatred, judgment, prejudice, intolerance, bias.

How is it that we have become so "modernized" in our technology, so "refined" in our cultural sophistications, and yet, remain so banal in our innate human tendency to judge and dismiss those who are different?

And honestly, isn't this tendency most tragic when it occurs within the Body of Christ?

Have we lost Christ Himself in the short-sighted habit of picking apart our brethren?

Oh, we must stop!

Many of you will remember a song with lyrics that said: "They will know we are Christians by our love…"

Friends, this is not just a kindly suggestion.  This is a direct command!

Jesus Himself stated, "So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other.  Just as I have loved you, you should love each other.  Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples." 
(John 13:34-35, NLT)


So I'm taking a good long look at the relationships in my life – family, friends, fellow believers, acquaintances, strangers – and asking myself how I'm doing…

Am I accepting differences in others, especially when they rub up against me and my ways?

Am I learning how to judge less, and extend grace more?

Am I refusing to dismiss sin, while at the same time determining to embrace sinners?

Am I reaching out to the marginalized, the ostracized, the detested?

Am I loving like Jesus did?


Yeah, I've been thinking about "The Hub" and his left-handedness.  And the sometimes tongue-in-cheek, and other times what-is-wrong-with-you way that I deem his behavior "backwards" and "wrong."

When the truth of the matter is this – we're both evenhanded in our need for each other, and our deepest need of the Savior.

So this…

Might we all become more mindful of our tendency to judge and malign differences.

Might we all become more open to embracing the joys of every individual’s uniqueness.

Might we all strive to look like Christians by our love for one another, and our unity as we pursue the Author of our Faith.

Might we all endeavor to look more like Jesus.

Whose arms stretched wide open, as His hands (both left and right!) were nailed to the cross, in order to demonstrate what true love looks like.


Those precious scarred hands still reach out today…

…to every single person alive on this earth.


Let's do the same.






 Seeing
eye-to-eye
starts
with the
heart.




"Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar.  For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen." (1 John 4:20, NIV)

"For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus…There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female.  For you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3:26, 28, NLT)

"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love." (Galatians 5:6, ESV)

"But now in Christ Jesus you who formerly were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  For He Himself is our peace…by abolishing in His flesh the enmity…" (Ephesians 2:13-15, NASB)

"My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory." (James 2:1, ESV)

"So Peter opened his mouth and said: 'Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.'" (Acts 10:34-35, ESV)

"We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.  But whoever has the world's goods, and sees his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in him?  Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth." (1 John 3:16-18, NASB)

"'Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap.  For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.'" (Luke 6:37-38, ESV)

"You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister?  Or why do you treat them with contempt?  For we will all stand before God's judgment seat…Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another.  Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister." (Romans 14:10, 13, NIV)

"Believers, do not speak against or slander one another.  He who speaks [self-righteously] against a brother or judges his brother [hypocritically], speaks against the Law and judges the Law.  If you judge the Law, you are not a doer of the Law but a judge of it.  There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and to destroy [the one God who has the absolute power of life and death]; but who are you to [hypocritically or self-righteously] pass judgment on your neighbor?" (James 4:11-12, AMP)

"Therefore you have no excuse…every one of you who judges.  For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things." (Romans 2:1, ESV)

"'Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye…'" 
(Matthew 7:3-5, NIV)

"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world.  For I was hungry, and you fed me.  I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink.  I was a stranger, and you invited me into your home.  I was naked, and you gave me clothing.  I was sick, and you cared for me.  I was in prison, and you visited me.'

Then these righteous ones will reply, 'Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you?  Or thirsty and give you something to drink?  Or a stranger and show you hospitality?  Or naked and give you clothing?  When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?'

And the King will say, 'I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'" 
(Matthew 25:34-40, NLT)




Do you struggle with differences?  Are you prone to judgment?



Linked with:

SHARING HIS BEAUTY, SMALL WONDER, MONDAY'S MUSINGS, MONDAYS AT SOUL SURVIVAL, LIFE GIVING LINKUP, GOOD MORNING MONDAYS, THE ART OF HOMEMAKING MONDAYS, TELL ME A TRUE STORY, TITUS 2 TUESDAY, UNITE LINKUP, TESTIMONY TUESDAY, TUESDAY TALK, TELL IT TO ME TUESDAYS, RA RA LINKUP, TEACHING WHAT IS GOOD, INTENTIONAL TUESDAY, WORSHIPFUL LIVING, TELL HIS STORY, THE HOMEMAKING PARTY, WHOLEHEARTED WEDNESDAY, A LITTLE R & R WEDNESDAYS, WORD FILLED WEDNESDAY, THREE WORD WEDNESDAY, COFFEE FOR YOUR HEART, COFFEE & CONVERSATION, WOMEN WITH INTENTION, WAITING ON WEDNESDAY, SITTING AMONG FRIENDS, THURSDAY FAVORITE THINGS, GRACE AT HOME, SHINE BLOG HOP, THOUGHTFUL THURSDAYS, FROM HOUSE TO HOME, LITTLE THINGS THURSDAY, COZY READING SPOT, NO RULES WEEKEND BLOG PARTY, LIVE FREE THURSDAY, BLOGGER SPOTLIGHT, FRIENDSHIP FRIDAY, EVERYDAY TESTIMONY, FAITH FILLED FRIDAY, SPIRITUAL SUNDAYS, FAITH 'N FRIENDS, MAKE MY SATURDAY SWEET, GRACE & TRUTH, TGI SATURDAYS, FAMILY, FRIENDSHIP & FAITH, WEEKEND WHISPERS, WORD OF GOD SPEAK, SMALL VICTORIES SUNDAY, GIVE ME GRACE, SOCIAL BUTTERFLY SUNDAY, INSPIRE ME MONDAY, MOTIVATION MONDAY


BLOG = "Blessedly Leaning On God!"

36 comments:

  1. With humor and grace, you have once again pointed to the truth of how we should be as Christians, Sharon. Yes, it is too easy to note the differences between us instead of the similarities, and your example of left-handedness was a perfect illustration. (My mother is a leftie, but none of us got that gene.) Thank you for brightening my day with this powerful reflection.
    Blessings!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Such a cute picture of you and your hubby's hands together :)

    I learned a lot about left handed people; I didn't know a lot of those facts. My nephew is a leftie and I know they always make sure he's at the end of the table when eating so there's no conflict between a leftie and a rightie :)

    Wonderful observation, Sharon, for us to be evenhanded among each other!!!

    betty

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have a few friends who are left-handed, and it always reminds me how hard they have it! ha. I didn’t realize how much of a break I got by being right-handed. I love the hands picture, Sharon!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Sharon! Like Lisa, I have 'lefty' friends. It's a real eye-opener to hear about the simplest things that are challenges. I didn't realize that even the common scissors can be designed for right-handers.
    Your thoughts about judgment are right on the point. Different doesn't mean bad, broken, or anything that the root of the word suggests in different languages (which was really interesting to read!). It just means different. And doesn't that make the world go around?

    I LOVE your wedding set. So western! As you know, I spent time in Tucson as a young nurse, and turquoise was the wedding ring of choice. I love that style.
    Happy Monday!
    Ceil

    ReplyDelete
  5. Well, #7 cracked me up-"Oh, here they are, on the etagere." We had one of those in the store I used to work in, and I could never say it right, so I called it the tower. Obviously, I'm not a leftie.

    #11 baffled me...how can a percentage be higher than 100%. Well, no matter, I'm not having any more babies.

    I'd like to know who actually documented the right or left-handedness of someone like Osama bin Laden. "Yeah, I knew da guy; I seen him once or twice, but he disappears like da wind...one thing I can tell ya...da guy is a southpaw."

    All kidding aside, you're absolutely right on. I find it ironic that we are living in a society fueled with hatred while preaching tolerance. My prayer at the end of 2015 was, "I want to love like Jesus loved." I'm a bit ashamed to say that I sort of forgot about that...so thank you for reminding me, Sharon. Great post as usual. Left is not wrong; it's just different. I hope that I can take that lesson with me this week.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I can remember a day when judging another was part of my make up. I cringe now. I did it to cover up my own inferiority. I was a sad excuse for a human being at times, especially one who claimed to be a pastor. But I'm thankful that God has helped me see He is the only righteous judge. I am called to love; He is the one who judges. Life got a whole lot better at that point.

    ReplyDelete
  7. In Latin left means sinister. Should I tell my grand daughter and husband? Oh dear. Your research is very thorough about lefties. I'm with you, let's embrace our differences; they keep us on our toes and humble!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Gosh. Number 8 and 11. You sure know how to make a girl chuckle. I'm right handed and my figures face left. My sister is a lefty along with 2 of her 3 children. My cats are ambidextrous and my piggie squeals a LOT. Haha!

    ReplyDelete
  9. My hubby was supposed to be a lefty...back in the day, you forced your kids to be righties. Well, they did and he would up with reading issues and learning disabilities when he was very young. Our first born is a lefty and we let it be. He has more talent in figuring out and fixing what's wrong with anything than anyone I've ever known. How does this stuff get started in history, anyway?? This was very interesting and enlightening. I kept wondering how you were going with the application and as usual, you nailed it, girl. Thanks for a great reminder that we are all unique individuals, just the way God made us!

    ReplyDelete
  10. Love your unique hands photo n beautiful wedding bands! such amazing, interesting info living out in left field...how very true your spiritual insights as always, Sharon..."we will walk... with each other...hand in hand..." this goes well with your grateful page esp. 2/14 .thanks for the reminders

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great post! It's so easy to find things to pick on in each other. We don't actually even need to find them, they seem to come to us and scream for attention. But when you are to point out something you admire in someone else (spouse, or brethen) it seems strangely hard.
    We really seem to be on the wrong side of our mind. Or on the wrong side of God in our self-righteousness.
    Thank you for the great post!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh, I love your rings - they are so unique! (I'm sorry, I know that's way off base.)
    My brother-in-law is left handed. He has 3 brothers who are right-handed. But his mama wasn't in her 40's when she had him - I found the whole 128% thing pretty crazy!
    And Osama? Yeah...
    Your writing always challenges me whenever I run across your posts, young lady! You, my friend, are a wise and learned one!
    Thanks for sharing again with us at Tuesday Talk!
    http://www.rearreleaseregroup.com/

    ReplyDelete
  13. " Those precious scared hands still reach out to every single person alive on this earth". "Am I loving like Jesus did?" Great post, great questions. Great rings, too. 😊

    ReplyDelete
  14. Excellent point, Sharon. I'm with you and have been in this line of thinking for a time. When we consider the Beatitudes how can we as a church so badly miss the mark? The flesh of course, but the true mark of Christians should be that of humility. Pride is so prevalent and when it's present, God isn't...

    As the youngest of four, my oldest brother and sister are lefties. So is our middle and now our S-I-L... I think they're taking over!

    ReplyDelete
  15. I really enjoyed your informational facts on left handed people. My brother is left handed and my sister in law is left handed and they are both gay. I have a niece who is also left handed.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I enjoyed your research. My husband and daughter are ambidextrous in sports but write with their right hands. I'm so right handed I can hardly do anything with my left. Thanks for the fun and the admonitions.

    ReplyDelete
  17. I enjoyed your approach to your hubby being a leftie. One of my Son-in-laws is left handed, and they thought my brother was, but his teacher made him use his right hand to write. I don't think it scared him for life, but children should be "left" alone if they tend to be left handed. I am thankful to be right (handed that is.) You have wove Biblical truth so lovely around your post. We tend to judge too often when it would be best to keep quiet. Thank you for sharing with us here at Tell me a Story.

    ReplyDelete
  18. Thank you for this, you have me a lot to think about. I will never look at lefties the same again:)I like how you wrapped it back around to a biblical truth.

    ReplyDelete
  19. left handedness seems to be a rising phenomenon - probably because left handers aren't penalized in school anymore. My daughter and her husband are both lefties - they won't notice that everything is backwards!

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great post. My son is left-handed and it has opened a new world to me too. Thank you. God bless you!

    ReplyDelete
  21. Sweet picture of you and the lefties' hands. I'm also married to a lefty, and one out of four of our boys is also left-handed. Certainly a very special class of people!

    ReplyDelete
  22. You're asking some important, and convicting questions there, my friend. Thank you for this. Blessings on your weekend!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Beautiful, Sharon. My daughter is a proud lefty.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Oh, my, you can take me from laughing out loud to stone-faced serious in a matter of seconds! Seriously, you are such a great writer. I just love to read your words! And such a precious friend you are, too. This was a hilarious and sobering, too. God help me to not focus so much on my differences with others as I focus on the ways we can agree. God loves us all the same, and like you said, I am not talking about sin and the non-negotiables....but the negotiables that are not so important. Sending you big hugs and lots of love!

    ReplyDelete
  25. My sister is a leftie. She needs to read this.

    ReplyDelete
  26. Such fascinating facts about our beloved lefties! Thanks for this... and thanks for the reminder that we are ALL different, created uniquely by the Father, and how vitally important it is to show LOVE. Always. Stopping by from Word of God Speak :)

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love your post! My sister, mother, and father-in-law are left-handed! My mom write check marks backwards". Thanks for linking up with us and please come back! #BloggerSpotlight

    ReplyDelete
  28. Sharon, as a leftie I really enjoyed your post. I realized I do draw figures facing right and I make check marks the opposite way, too! :-) Your spiritual points are, sadly, all too true. Thanks for a great reminder about the importance of biblical love and giving grace where preference issues are concerned. Have a great week-end!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Good questions...lots to think about. I am left handed too...

    ReplyDelete
  30. I have a friend who's husband is left handed. When we go out to eat with them it is so funny how they have to stop and think of where to sit:) Thanks for this great post!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi I am a left handed person. My sister and dad are too. I have 3 boys, 1 Dil, 4 grandkids and none of them are left handed. Thank you for the post.

    ReplyDelete
  32. What an interesting thought - so often we view our way as the "right" way don't we?

    I love all the left-handed tidbits/facts you've shared here. Very interesting!

    Thanks for sharing (and for linking up to the #SHINEbloghop).

    Wishing you a lovely day.
    xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  33. Excellent post and great analogy. Thanks for linking to Word of God Speak.
    Blessings,
    Janis

    ReplyDelete
  34. I'm married to one myself. The only time it is a problem is when we eat next to one another. We have to make sure I'm on the right or else we have an elbow match.

    ReplyDelete
  35. I enjoyed your insight in this and the history of it, Sharon! My Dad is a left handed, and he told me the nuns used to wack his hands in school to correct him to be a right handed writer. It didn't work; he is still left handed! Thanks for sharing this great post with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week :)

    ReplyDelete

"So [I] have been greatly encouraged in the midst of [my] troubles and suffering, dear brothers and sisters, because you have remained strong in your faith. It gives [me] new life to know that you are standing firm in the Lord. How [I] thank God for you!" (1 Thessalonians 3:7-9)

Thanks for your comments - it is such a joy to be sharing my journey with friends like YOU!

(NOTE: Anonymous comments will be removed. Thank you for understanding.)