Ridiculous day at church!!

A few years ago while waiting for the church service to begin, I was having a conversation with my husband.  I wasn’t able to hear a certain announcement and asked him if he heard it.  He said that he couldn’t hear it and that usually folks quiet down when the announcements come on.  All of the sudden the woman in the row in front of us, who apparently was eavesdropping, began speaking belligerently to my husband.  She accused him of being “one of those Christians that give Christians a bad reputation,” and so on and so forth.  My husband and I were speechless.  First of all we weren’t putting anyone down.  We simply didn’t hear what the announcement was.  This woman continued on until she had most everyone’s attention in the area…and they were all staring at us.  Finally she stopped.  I won’t share everything with you that she said…no need.

I was stunned.  My husband got up and left.  Immediately, I began to pray for both my husband and the woman in front of me.  After a few minutes, I found myself tapping on this woman’s shoulder to get her attention.  These words came from my mouth.  I said, “Ma’am, my husband and I were having a conversation between the two of us.  Nothing that my husband said had anything to do with you.”  I said, “My husband is a young Christian and I’ve been waiting for him to attend church with me for nearly 20 years.  Do you know why he wouldn’t attend with me for such a long time?”  She shook her head.  I kindly said, “Because of people like you.”  I sat back in my chair and waited for the service to begin…and for my husband to return and continued to pray for both of them.

Finally he returned and the worship service had begun.  I said, “Holy Spirit, do your work.”  Well, 2 songs or so into the service the lady began to cry.  Then she turned around and just as profusely as she had verbally slapped him only moments ago, she apologized to my husband…again causing a ruckus.

We left that day totally stunned.  But this I know… my husband didn’t deserve what he got from that lady.  But, I prayed for both of them…hoping that she was only having a bad day and hoping that my husband would continue going to church with me.  I put the situation in God’s hands and watched him work this out to peace in front of my eyes.

Just keep in mind that you never know what someone may be going through and harsh words are not the answer.  A soft word turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1  Even if you’re the one on the receiving end of someone else’s bad day.  Pray for them…it will do more good than a harsh word ever will.             

Put your faith into action!

Today my husband and I had lunch at one of our favorite local restaurants.  As soon as we walked in, we knew that we wouldn’t get good service.  One of the waitresses who had been gone for quite some time was back and she, of course, waited on us.  Sounds like an opportunity to me.   

This lady does the bare minimum as far as waiting tables go…and she’s not friendly at all.  I find it somewhat challenging to be upbeat and friendly to her…oh I do my best…to no avail, though.

It’s moments like these that I wonder just what could be going on in this person’s world that could make them so unfriendly and seemingly so unhappy?  We’ve been going to this place for more than 20 years and she used to be sort of friendly.  No matter what is going on in her life, I would make a guess that it’s totally the lack of Jesus…in a particular situation, in her job…or maybe she doesn’t know Him at all.

You see, this is where we get to put our faith into action.  I’m friendly to her.  I try to have conversation with her or make her laugh.  I ask my husband to tip her well in spite of the situation.  Silently, I pray that God would break down any strongholds that might be keeping her from seeing God’s goodness.  Really, praying is probably the best thing that we can do.

Remember, it is God’s will that not one of us should perish.  He loves us all so very much and He loves us all the same…no more or no less.  Pray for those who don’t know of our Father’s love.  You never know, you may see them in Heaven one day and then realize that they’re there because you prayed for them.  How exciting is that?            

The poor you will have with you always.

Over the past couple of years the topic of helping destitute people has come up as a group issue from time to time.  As I was listening to some of the things that were being said, I actually thought these folks were being sarcastic and trying to be funny.  But as this subject was brought up more and more as time went on, I realized that what was being spoken were actually statements true to how these folks felt.  The words spoken broke my heart.

Maybe I’m a bit sensitive because the passion of my heart is to help those who cannot help themselves, such as feeding the hungry, leading the lost to salvation, etc.  You see, for years, I’ve looked at myself, my home, my possessions, etc and I see myself as having been blessed abundantly.  My family and I aren’t wealthy as wealth is defined here in the US.  We’re average folks.  But when I look at people in third world countries…I see myself as wealthy.  I want to do more to help others…this is the cry of my heart.

Jesus said that we would always have the poor with us…and I don’t doubt that to be a true statement.  Matthew 26:11(He was making a reference to His coming death and leaving the Earth, but I also believe there is more to this statement to why we will always have the poor with us.)  But, the question I ask is; why?  In the times that we are living in now, we have the capabilities to clothe, feed and help others medically, emotionally and spiritually…those who are much less fortunate that we are…whether they are located here in the US or around the world.  But so many folks seem to have no care for those who are starving and destitute.  I believe that Jesus spoke this because he knew that even though we do have the capabilities to help others, we humans are so self centered and self absorbed that helping others to the point of ending world wide poverty simply will not happen in this age.

I encourage you to look around in your own world.  Is there anyone nearby who may need your help?  It’s not just about giving money.  You can give of your time and possessions.  There are endless ways of helping others.  Get creative!  Ask God to open your eyes and ears to see and hear opportunities to help others.  Like Jesus said, the poor we will always have with us.  I encourage you to help others.  From my own experience, I can tell you that it will rock your world…in a good way.  It’s addictive!  You’ll love it and want to do more.  Go for it!!