Well, here I am again. I still have not figured out how I get here. I am in and out of menus and then all of a sudden, here I am. My friend is not able to post her comment even though it says she can. It was discouraging to not see any comments but then again, this really is for me and I have already made my comment.
Tonite we had our small group meeting. What a hoot! It was a serious topic but I think there was something in the juice because we all had the giggles. Well, I should say we ladies had the giggles. The guys just watched in amazement. What is it about men that they don't understand our jokes and don't even try to but are disappointed (it shows on their face) when we don't get theirs! Oh we go to a lot of trouble to try and understand them but I am not sure we get the favor returned. Maybe that is the intrigue of the sexes. Bet I am not the first one to say that.
Anyway, we were talking about persecution. Not one of us had experienced it. What a great country we live in. But like I said in a previous blog, you don't have to be whipped or killed to be persecuted. It comes in all shapes and sizes. As a Christian you might get the 'do goody' comments or the snickers but all in all, it is pretty easy to be a Christian. One lady commented that when she became a Christian and told her family, she basically lost her sister. They were not in the same frame of mind anymore and began to have less and less in common. Many years later they are still not in touch with each other. Now that is sad. Christian or not, family is family. There must have been other things to talk about. Even Christians don't talk about God all the time. Yet it seems like a 'wall' goes up when you say you are one. Is it because they might not 'talk the talk' or what they perceive is the talk? Or are they perhaps searching themselves and haven't found the answers but don't want someone to tell them the answer either. I am not sure. When I became a Christian I didn't change overnight but I sure gave a lot of thought to the things I was doing. I was forced to make some lifestyle changes. Not because I 'had' to (well maybe a little bit) but mostly because I honestly 'wanted' to. Some things just did not feel right anymore. Being a Christian is a day-to-day experience and you are always learning, adjusting, changing, maturing. It's a 'life long' process. I don't think we will ever 'be there' till we 'are there'!
Something I never thought I was very good at was meeting new people. My mom always said 'it doesn't hurt to smile or say hello'. That used to bug me when I was young. But I see great wisdom in her comment now. I have been practising what mom preached. It's amazing how many people are won over with love rather than criticism. We are to care for others (as we hope they would care for us). I think there is a 'golden rule' in there somewhere. Since I became a Christian I have always tried to be ready to give a good reason why I am. It isn't something that people ask you very often. Sometimes I have to bring the conversation around that way and even then, not everyone wants to know! Amazing. Anyway, the Good Book does say to be prepared. Another thing it says that I like is in Romans 12:11-13. If you don't mind...I will quote it: Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with God's people who are in need. Practise hospitality." I think that pretty well sums up what my mom would say is just good manners and proper behavior.
Sometimes it is hard to be nice to the guy who cuts you off in traffic, or steps in front of you at the grocery store line. But in the end, it doesn't really matter except for the way YOU respond to it. So...I get it. Mom was always big on politeness. I have mellowed over the years and I am beginning to think she was right, oops I guess I know she was right. It never hurts anyone to smile and say hello.
See you next time...I hope.
2 comments:
Finally read a blog of yours.Love the colour.
"A merry heart doeth good like a medicine". Maybe God gave women an extra dose of good sense of humor since we also carry a lot of the emotional burdens! On Christmas night, my sister and I laughed until we were crying when we both reminisced about being pregnant and sleeping on our water beds. When we got home, Greg said, "I almost started worrying whether you were okay you were laughing so hard.! Greg has a good sense of humor but it isn't quite as crazy, off the wall , belly aching. There are few men I have met who have that kind of humor except for my Dad and some of his brothers. They would tilt their heads back and just laugh until everyone in the room began to laugh. When Dad died, one of the comments that were continually made was his sense of humor and how his laugh was infectious. That kind of humor got us all through a lot of hard times. And it continues to help me. Its powerful therapy is becoming more and more understood which probably explains why you can go to Laughter Therapy Groups or Laughter Yoga.
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