Observing Curfew

Proverbs 27:14 (KJV) He that blesseth his friend with a loud voice, rising early in the morning, it shall be counted a curse to him.

I must confess that this verse mystifies me.  I can’t ever think of a time where I got up early in the morning to shout blessings across the lawn at my neighbor.  Rarely do I see my neighbor early in the morning and when I do he’s inside a car with his stereo on, and his windows rolled up.  I do wave, but I don’t shout.

I think part of the issue here is us wanting attention when we do things that are correct.  I think we should be asking God’s blessing upon our neighbors.  We should double that if they are our friends.  Triple it if they are family.  We should be willing to offer up prayers for people around us without calling attention to ourselves.

So?  Just as our giving to charity and the needy should be done in a quiet way that does not embarrass them, so our blessings should also be restrained.  Let God be the one that hears.