"As the little boy reached for the hot rolls his arms brushed a tall-stemmed, top heavy water glass, and over it went. A spreading flood raced through the perfect table setting, so prim and precise, and mother "lost her cool." She scolded the boy for his carelessness, tossed in a few pointed remarks about his lack of manners, and gave his hand a sharp rap when he began to cry. This would have to happen when she had worked so hard to impress a visiting preacher.

And then , just as the embarrassed guests were beginning to mince at their food and pick up their previous conversation-just as the mother's blood pressure began to level off-the preacher reached for the hot rolls and over went his water glass. And people think preachers have it easy!

Now-what does one do or say? This may be another case like brother Tant's mouth full of too hot coffee. ANything one does after that is wrong. You can't get there from here.

Maybe the preacher, the mother, and the boy should retire to the kitchen and have a good cry. It would certainly come natural and the setting is just right for some very close fellowship. In fact, with a little prodding, the rest of the guests may acknowledge like circumstances in their lives, and the great brotherhood of Boo-BOo makers is established.

Perhaps I like nice things as well as the next one, and we need to cultivate the grace and manners that make this crude world bearable; but there seems to be a certain artificiality in a "too-perfect" situation. There are times when I almost wish someone (not me) would drop the gravy bowl.

Sympathy is a fine thing-to feel for antoher but many people do not want our pity. We really begin to get response when we feel with others-when sympathy becomes empathy, and pity becomes genuine compassion. I do not say one should sin in order to understand and appreciate the plight of others in sin; it will be enough to take an honest look at yourself-even when you are trying to do right.

We are a bundh of "sad-sacks" that need one another's understanding and encouragement if we are to fulfill our purpose. Next time someone blunders into a man-hole, remember, "Burt for the grace of God, there I go."