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"She didn't even speak to me." "He walked right by be and wouldn't even look at me." Have you ever heard statements similar to these or even made such a comment? Throughout my lifetime of working with people, I would have to say, I have heard such remarks many times and I have a standard reply. That is, "Did you speak to them?" If it was not so pitiful, it would be funny. The fact is, there are many people who live in such a self-centered world. Yes, I said it; self-centered because they believe everyone should come to them, do for them, without returning anything. A relationship is not solo. It requires interaction between two. If a person always gives and never receives anything in return, that person will eventually give up on trying to maintain the relationship and search elsewhere for a friend. Healthy relationship are two-sided; a partnership of giving and receiving. Yes, relationships are a two-way street.
Yes, "they" walk amongst us. Who? Negative minds, stubborn spirits, hateful hearts, or "they" are sometimes referred to with common names such as idiots, jerks, egomaniacs, haters, and the list can continue. These types of characters are often the source of our frustrations however, such frustration is allowing "them" to control us. So, what should we do? Here are my recommendations upon facing "them":Smile, say "Hello," and keep moving.Don't give them an audience in which to spew their ignorance.Be kind.Don't retaliate and stoop to their level.Be strong.Resist the urge to defend yourself.Finally, remember time proves all things. Yes, "they" walk amongst us but our responses determine how much control they attain. We can't stop "them" from walking amongst us but, we can determine how much power they are given over us.
The past few days, I have been thinking about prayer and some of the things people say when they pray. Do they really mean everything they say? When they ask God to do something, are they sure about what they are asking? Have you ever heard someone pray, "Show me your ways, Lord." I wonder if the Lord were to suddenly show them His path of affliction and suffering if they would still want God to see His ways? Or, they ask God to send a revival. Really? What kind of revival? If you are not specific, the revival might be someone dying in front of you and being resuscitated. One should be careful how they pray. Do you really mean what you pray?
Whining goats or sweet sheep? As for me, I do not tolerate whining, complaining, negative people. Rather than give them a shoulder to cry on, I will give them a hand, pull them up, and pray for them. When one walks with God, follows in His footsteps, there is no pause or focus to join someone for the purpose to commiserate, but rather notice their need and meet it. Jesus didn’t spend time listening to people whine – He saw their need and met it. He wasn’t a sympathetic ear; He was a problem solver. It is so much easier to meet a need for a sweet sheep than hours spent with a whining goat........just sayin'.
Go ahead and chuckle. I not only giggled but I laughed till I cried when this goofy character showed up in my house. This past fall, my oldest son Bryce signed a contract for his first full-time teaching job as a middle school music teacher. The first picture is of him directing one of his classes at their winter program. As professional as he can look and act, there are those occasions he decides to be a goober. He found a fake cigarette in some of his stuff and the next thing that shows up in the living room, is this redneck. A few months before Christmas, he made a comment about wanting a pirate hat. Not only did I find him the hat, I also found a pirate shirt. Soon after opening his gifts, he went to his room and reappeared as a pirate. I am very proud of my son and his accomplishments this past year but, I also enjoy the fun he brings into our home. Life is never dull and boring around him.
