When we moved into our new residence, we were so pleased to learn that the other side of the duplex we rent is occupied by a pastor and his wife. The day we moved in Ted approached the neighbor guy with his hand out for a cordial handshake. I heard Ted trying his best to chat and introduce our family, but the Pastor looked a little scared, and the conversation only lasted a minute.
Ted said to me, "and you say I'm anti-social??!!" I thought it was a little strange for a pastor, but maybe I'm just used to friendly, outgoing types, and it takes all kinds, I figured we'd get to know them better, and they would see we aren't scary.
Not so. We try to wave and smile when we see the pastor outside, and he honestly won't wave back. Maybe we've offended them somehow? We are kind of a loud and jovial family. We encourage our kids to respect the time of day, with no loud music or TV after 10 pm. And in our defense, I wake up every night when their baby cries. Big shock, Ted can sleep right thru it, but as soon as that baby starts to cry, I'm wide awake...certainly it's a "mom thing".
Even if we were offensive I expect different behavior from a pastor. Can you just imagine the non believer thinking "hypocrite"? If we are Christians, there is a certain level of friendly and cordail behavior expected, right? Love one another being so important and all that?!
So yesterday as I turned on the icy road into my subdivision, I apparently took too long turning the corner, because a big SUV came flying around me nearly clipping the side of my vehicle, honking, and making a rude hand gesture to me. Obviously the teen driving didn't recongnize me from church. Oh well.
Last night at my house I had a little chat with my teen daughter about the example she MUST set on the road. I think she's a pretty decent driver, and she's a laid back kid, so I don't see her as a road rager, but I'd guess she's not above honking at someone annoying. I was telling her that her behavior is on display because she goes to church and calls herself a Christian. I asked her to be mindful of that, so she not set a crummy example for other kids, to do her best not to get that "hypocrite" label.
And the same goes for me in my business. There are some people who must make it a goal to ruin another's day. They come in looking for a fight. What is my response? How do I need to behave as a believer, at times I want to stoop right to their level of crabby-ness but as God changes my heart into a servant of his, the urges to be snotty are fewer and far between. It is less of a struggle to simply shake my head after they leave instead of engaging in an argument. Praise Him!
And even more so, I quickly realize that the offender is probably in need of prayer over something gone wrong in their life. Compassion has taken the place of irritation more and more lately. This journey that God is taking me on amazes me, and I am so thankful for God's presence in my life. Without Him in my heart, I can easily be just as miserable as the rest of the world.
My comfort in life and death
15 years ago
2 comments:
Why in the world do you get all the knocks from people from our church. Cracks me up. I don't think I've ever had the experiences you have had though I've been affected plenty. Blessings of love and care, my Friend. The neighbor next door? I have every confidence you will break through the silence. BTW, I could not copy those DVDs so they are setting here. I'll try to remember to bring them to church and put them in your mail slot. Stay safe and away from those roudy CCRC kids.:) Tongue in check
Miss Gayle, I am so sorry to hear about your health, what a knock after celebrating a good heart check up so recently!
Hang in there, break out that old believing God workbook if you still have it. I think the DVDs are in the church library, what a great time it would be to re-watch them, and remember how faithful God is to us!
Prayers for a good answer from the doc!
xoxo
Post a Comment