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Today...... I'm getting personal.....again.....
Just so you're aware.... I am a strong teacher of the Bible...you know....the Greek for this, the Hebrew for that....points 1,2,3,4....all nicely wrapped up at the end with 4 things to do....... (someone please say, "Amen!")....but up to this point, I haven't felt that was the purpose of this blog.....
The purpose of this blog, at least for now, is to share real life stuff....how God has directed, inspired and blessed the footsteps of this girl who has simply tried to live honestly before Him.
Living honestly.............That's a mouthful.....
One of my children (who shall remain nameless) accused me once of being "fake" with people because I would be so positive, friendly, and kind to them....
My own child!!!!
That offspring of mine knew that I didn't always FEEL like being positive or friendly or kind....
I tried to live this way (positive, friendly, and kind) with my kids as well...but EVERY parent out there will admit there have been times the kids have seen you lose it....(don't look at me in that tone of voice!)
Let's face it...your kids know that you get cranky and tired and...ticked off!
I informed my child that we are expected to ACT the way GOD SAID to ACT whether WE FEEL LIKE IT OR NOT....it was a goal I was working towards...not a perfection I had attained...so cut me some slack, Jack! :-)
God says, "Be kind." "Rejoice always." "Encourage one another with your words." SO.....that's what I tried to do.....even when I felt like telling people----"Bug off." "Leave me alone." "Go away."
My parents' generation was the generation that "held it all in." They suffered silently. Stoic. As a child, I never really knew if my father had a good day or a bad day....I know today, as an adult, that he had PLENTY of very bad days.....but he was always the same towards me.
I never knew about the battle that raged within my mother from the abusive treatment she received as a child. She ACTED like a good mother....to her eight children...whether she felt like it or not.
Stable. Strong. Dependable. They did what they knew was right. Whether it "felt" good to them or not.
The baby boomers, though....we were taught to "let it all hang out." Classes at school, Student Government leadership training sessions, church prayer meetings, and even Bible studies became places to "share your feelings." We were to say what we felt. What do you "feel this scripture means to you?" "How do you feel about what she said?"
If we didn't like something, we were told to "Speak up. Say something about it." Point out when someone is wrong. Show them the error of their ways. Be honest about how you feel.
Acting one way, but feeling another was considered hypocritical....one of the worst adjectives that could be attached to an individual, according to my generation.
How many people don't go to church because the church is full of "hypocrites?" What in the WORLD DOES THAT MEAN?
A hypocrite is one who wears a mask.....yea....so the church has people that wear masks, but your place of work doesn't? The celebrities you follow...they don't wear masks? The politicians you admire? Puh-LEASE!
The church is full of people.....people who are trying to live a life according to God's standards. When I want to cuss someone out, but God's standards require that I forgive, I have to put on a mask....because I have to ACT a way that I DON'T FEEL LIKE ACTING!!!!
Never in God's directions (AKA "the Bible") have I read, "So, tell me how you feel about this.....Do you feel like you should love your neighbor? Do you want to be generous to the poor? Are you in the mood to rejoice? Because if you feel like you want to pout and complain and be angry and stingy and mean to people......if THAT'S HOW YOU REALLY FEEL....BY ALL MEANS, GO RIGHT AHEAD.....
That's not what God's directions say.......
God's Word says, "DO IT."
Be kind.
Be compassionate.
Rejoice.
Speak words that build up and don't tear down.
So.....
I act joyful when I am sad.
I choose hope when in despair.
I speak words of encouragement when people disappoint.
I give when I want to horde.
I choose to believe the best when it appears that someone has gone out of his/her way to speak ill of me...
I put on the mask of love, patience, joy, and faith, and pretty soon my feelings start to change; my face begins to take the shape of the mask I was wearing.....
What does, "living honestly' mean? It means that I am honest before God....I go to Him about my challenges with people and situations and even....my feelings....
And when I deal with people, I try very hard.....to honestly treat them the way God would have me treat them....whether I feel like it or not....but as I told my dear offspring, it's a goal I'm working towards, not a perfection I've attained so...... cut me some slack, Jack! :-)
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling, and slander, along with every from of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God." (Ephesians 4: 29-32; 5:1-2)
Would love to hear from you, dear reader........and.....
This week......Celebrate Christmas! Celebrate Jesus! Hang some mistletoe and eat a cookie or two.....or three...!!!
I'll blog ya next week. In the meantime, do something today to fulfill your purpose.
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