Play Fair In Mysteries
I love mysteries. And one of the most important aspects of a mystery, is that the story contains all the clues.
The joy of my mind twisting and swirling to figure out whodunit or howdunit is the best part of reading.
And if the clues are planted throughout the story, and I don’t figure out the mystery before it’s revealed, I rate that as the best of the best.
On the flip side, when vital clues aren’t in the story, I’m not a fan of that story at all. The author isn’t playing fair. Perhaps the author needs to improve at the craft. Or maybe writing mystery isn’t the genre for them.
I recently listened to Arthur Morrison’s 1894 short story, the Lenton Croft Robberies. And while the whodunit and howdunit were interesting, Morrison didn’t disclose the vital actions and findings of the detective. The clues weren’t in the story.
So I’m not going to read or listen to any more of Morrison’s work.
Because it’s no mystery…play fair and I’ll keep reading.
Play Fair In Life
It’s the same in life. Even children want others to play fair.
And just like I won’t read Morrison’s other works because I don’t think he “played fair”, if someone in my life doesn’t play fair, I sometimes make the decision to limit contact with the person who mistreated me. Or maybe even choose not to be around them at all.
I ask God to help me forgive them for their mistreatment so I don’t carry around the pain they caused. And to protect me from further harm they inadvertently, or purposely, inflict.
But I also ask God to help me treat others fairly, even if they don’t play fair with me.
Why?
Because I don’t know if life and others have been fair to them, and I may be the only hope that person has to be treated fairly.
To me, it’s no mystery…play fair.
What helps you play fair?
It's No Mystery…Play Fair – What helps you play fair? Share on XJoni Vance is an award-winning author of fiction, essay, and poetry. She loves mystery, history, and how God reveals Himself every day.
May God reveal the mystery of His love in your life story.
Playing fair involves honesty and full disclosure. Those are hard for us, because just as Dr. W. Lee Warren shares in his book, “The Life-changing Art of Self-Brain Surgery” — “Research shows that a huge percentage of our automatic feelings and thoughts are false.” Dr. Warren rates it at 80% of our thoughts are usually not true. Since we waver on what is true at any given moment, it is hard for us to always play fair. Only by God’s help and direction can we play fair with others.
Thanks for sharing the info, Jane!
Great post, Joni.
Thanks for reading and commenting, Phyllis. I appreciate it!
I feel your pain, Joni, and agree to your solution. To avoid being unkind, I strive to live by the Fruit of the Spirit and I PRAY for our Lord’s help during those situations where I’m tempted to verbally strike back when someone has hurt me.
Thank you for sharing, Katherine. God’s help is the only thing that works for me, too. 🙂
Trying to live by Jesus’ teachings.
Thank you for reading and sharing what works for you, Tim.