"I Am So Happy to See You"... (not)

“I’m so happy to see you”… (not!)

Have you ever said those words to someone while you were cringing inside at the prospect of actually having a conversation with them?   The first words out of their mouths are usually a complaint about the weather which quickly moves to a complaint about everyone else around them.  Then, there is always the “doom and gloomer”; ‘life is the pits and let me pull you right down in this black hole with me”.  And… the most obnoxious, “It’s all about me”!

Years ago, an associate walked into my office where I was having a conversation with my boss.  We both looked up when we saw him standing there and quickly stopped what we were doing to say hello and have a brief chat.  He left after a few moments and as we turned back to our work, I commented on what a great person he was.  My boss smiled and said  “Yes, he really is.  He is one of those rare people that you are always glad came into the room when they leave”.

That has really stuck with me over the years.  What impression or thoughts do I leave people with as I pass through their lives?  Do they see in me what I would desire; or, do they see the things that surface quickly during my hurried and stressful days?    OK… as much as the “whiners”, “doomers” and “all about me” people make me cringe;  at one time or another I am sure that I have been just like one or all of them.   Hopefully, time and spiritual maturity have made me “less” and the presence of the Holy Spirit in me “greater”. 

Changing our words, responses and relationships is difficult (if not impossible) when we are trying to follow “rules of behavior”.   The truth of the matter is that in a transformed life, the words or reactions that come from any Godly person should be a “Holy Spirit Spontaneous Response” as opposed to a “Fleshly Self-controlled Reaction”.     If you have times like these or battle with the “why did I say or do that” guilt syndrome, there is hope:

            Galatians 5:16-22

The Spirit versus the Flesh

 ¹⁶ I say then, walk by the Spirit  and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. ¹⁷ For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don't do what you want.  ¹⁸ But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

    ¹⁹ Now the works of the flesh are obvious:  sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, ²⁰ idolatry, sorcery, hatreds, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar, about which I tell you in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

    ²² But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,  goodness, faith, ²³ gentleness, self-control. Against such things there is no law. ²⁴ Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. ²⁵ If we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. ²⁶ We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.  (Holman Christian Standard Bible)

I think I am turning into a “Blue Haired” Lady!

 “The silver-haired head is a crown of glory, If it is found in the way of righteousness.” (NKJV) Proverbs 16:31

Sometime after the “Beatles”, my first 100lb  Litton Micromaster,  Avocadao green and gold kitchen, Boy Scouts, Booster Clubs and Empty Nest - Without warning or announcement,  I have turned into a Blue Haired Lady.  Oh, you can’t really see the blue; and won’t (as long as I can help it}, but it has truly happened.    And you know, it’s not all that bad!  OK…,  I concede that wearing glasses to put on makeup, double checking locks at night, sleeping in to 5AM, no caffeine after 10:AM and dinner over by 6PM  can be a drag.   

But there is an “up side”!

Life is moving faster, so I find myself slowing down.

People don’t seem to listen to me as much, so I am more careful about the words I chose to say.

I know that “Good-Bye” can be forever, so every “Hello”  is a celebration.

My brain doesn’t seem to work as fast, so it is more important for me to think before I do.

“Stuff” is inanimate and gives nothing.  I’m so over “stuff”!   -  Living is all about the heart.

My tears flow less freely, my tongue bites less frequently, and it takes a lot to offend me.  I think this is why my passion and faith is deeper and less distracted.

Friends have become family.  My children will soon become my parents (Maybe a little while longer on this one!)

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."                           Psalm 90:12 ESV

Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don't get worked up about what may or may

not happen tomorrow. God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.

                                                                                                                      Matthew 6:25-34 The Message

Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.                                                                           1 Timothy 4:12

Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than

silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.  Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed.                                                                                     Proverbs 3: 13-18 NIV

Guess I'll Just Eat Worms!

“Guess I’ll Just Eat Worms!” 

Probably most of us have heard this little song at one time in our life  “Nobody loves me, everybody hates me – guess I’ll just eat worms!”.   Although I would like to think this song is just reserved for children; I  have unfortunately sung it many times in my adult life.    Oh… the “pity party” we can throw when we feel hurt, misunderstood or reprimanded by those we love.   We laboriously whine through the “head dialogue”:  “Can’t they see how hard I am trying to be and provide all that they want?”  “Why can’t they consider my feelings for a change?”   “Could I just be first for once!”

It’s really kind of ridiculous when one considers the concept “I am miserable with those around me, so I am going to see what I can do about making my situation worse and eat some worms”.  But… that’s exactly what we do.   We lash out at others with hurtful words, sulk in the silence of self-imposed loneliness, and lay in wait for the moment to “get them back”.   The reality is that “eating worms” would work out a lot better for us and be far more palatable in the aftermath of our “self-solutions”.

So… next time I have an appetite for “worms”, I am going to remind myself that my “GOD loved ME so much…. He forgave all my words, my sullen silence, hateful reactions and brought me to him to live eternally and be loved without condition. 

And one other thing!  He told me to “pass it on”. (I sometimes forget this part!)

When you feel  "Nobody really loves me"

God says: "I love you" (John 3:16 & John 13:34)

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.