I'd Rather Be Righteous Than Right

The Lord rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness.

1 Samuel 26:23

Occasionally my teenagers want help with their math homework. I try not to act too excited but secretly I'm doing the happy dance. There is something so gratifying to me about a good Algebra problem. A few substitutions and manipulations then...voila you get the right answer. I just LOVE it when I'm right!


Truth be told I like to be right in other areas of my life as well. 


Like when I share droplets of wisdom with my husband that he rejects but they turn out to be pearls.


Or when I offer my best mommy warning just prior to my kids disobeying and reaping the natural consequence.


This morning I wonder though do I really want to be right or do I want to be righteous.


I would rather honor my husband with my actions and words than win an argument.


I delight when I see obedience in my children so much more than saying, "I told you so."


To be righteous is to have a right standing with God and men. It is cultivating the long-term yield instead of close relationship instead of the short-term satisfaction of "right". Today I choose to righteous instead of right.