Poetry ~ Cabbage After Christmas

I’ve watched the movie, “The Scapegoat”, repeatedly…because it’s that good: cinematography, characters, and 5-star acting by the entire cast, which includes Matthew Rhys in the dual lead roles as both the “ethical man” and the “nefarious” one.  I’m now reading the book, authored by Daphne du Maurier–and so far, I prefer the film adaptation (which ends happily, and in my opinion, justly).

If you’re not familiar with the story, here is the synopsis copied from Google:

In Daphne du Maurier’s 1957 psychological suspense novel The Scapegoat, a lonely English academic named John accidentally meets his exact lookalike, French Comte Jean de Gué, in a provincial French hotel. After a night of drinking, Jean steals John’s identity, leaving him to navigate a chaotic life, including a dysfunctional family, a failing business, and a mysterious past. 

Today a particular passage struck me:

“One had no right to play about with people’s lives. One should not interfere with their emotions.  A word, a look, a smile, a frown, did something to another human being, waking response or aversion, and a web was woven which had no beginning and no end, spreading outward and inward too, merging, entangling, so that the struggle of one depended on the struggle of the other.”

These words resonate within me so personally.  Ought we not to be most careful with interactions among people–whether those we know well, or strangers?  Words and behaviors carry weight and power, they can wound, or heal. 

I cringe, remembering times I’ve been a victim–and others, when my heart of stone has cut someone like a knife.  Oh, that they would forget, and I might be forgiven, dear Lord.  The Bible reminds us over and over…because people forget.

Blessings to you all ~ Cale

Matthew 12:36-37

But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. / For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.

Ephesians 4:29
Let no unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building up the one in need and bringing grace to those who listen.

Colossians 4:6
Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Proverbs 12:18
Speaking rashly is like a piercing sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 15:4
A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.

Proverbs 21:23
He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress.

Proverbs 13:3
He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin.

Proverbs 10:19
When words are many, sin is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.