I enjoy being in the company of people who have a sparkling sense of humor. Lighthearted conversation sprinkled with laughter is always great fun.

I also like serious discussions about important spiritual, moral, and political issues, especially when the participants express different points of view with intensity and feeling.

But I don't enjoy conversations when I am being rebuked, either directly or indirectly. It's hard to face my failings, shortcomings, and sins.

As I look back on my life, however, I must confess that some of the reprimands have brought me moral and spiritual benefit. Miss Grevengoed, my favorite teacher when I was in the 8th grade, told me how disappointed she was about my misconduct in another teacher's class. When I was 17, Henry Vanden Brink gently rebuked me for laughing at an obscene picture that someone showed me. And on another occasion, an elderly minister scolded me in the presence of friends for irreverently injecting a Bible verse into a humorous situation. These early lessons have stayed with me.

Rebukes hurt, but they are helpful. They are good for what ails us. So receive them gratefully. Remember, "Faithful are the wounds of a friend" (Prov. 27:6).  — Herbert Vander Lugt