So last week, my sis & I went to Fazoli's just as they were closing on our way home from something one night...we didn't realize they were closing, in which case, we may not have gone. I used to work at Dairy Queen, and it was really frustrating when someone came in with this whole dinner order at the last minute--normally we tried to get a head start on closing so that we could get out as fast as possible.
Well, there was a guy working, probably like 16 or 17 years old. When we pulled up and could see him making our food at the counter, he seemed to be muttering to himself and I figured he'd be a punk when he came to the window. So I think I said something to that effect, like, how I was so sorry to make him do his job and give him continued job security (to Meghan, not to the kid). I wasn't upset or anything, I had no reason to be, I just had a preconcieved notion of what this kid would do when he came to the window. He had his hat on sideways and big earrings and just a stereotype was in my mind. (No, I have nothing against earrings or side-hats, unless you wear it with a popped collar...) ;-)
He came to the window and was like the nicest fast food employee I have ever encountered. He comped like half our food actually, because we had to wait, and we weren't even complaining. He apologized and thanked us for our patience and was extremely nice. No attitude at all.
I know it sounds ridiculous, like why is this really your second blog on this wall, about some guy at Fazolis?
Well, I bet Side-Hat Boy has no idea what an impression he made on me, and he wasn't doing anything significant. Well, I should say, there is no way he could know. And then I started thinking, like this book my small group and I are reading, called Crazy Love, by Francis Chan, says "If you stopped being a "Christian," who would know? What would be different?" That was kind of a gut check, because, really, what WOULD be different? I mean, I don't smoke or party or any of those "bad things" we all try to avoid, right? But what makes me stand out from all the other fast food employees like the Fazolis guy? You know what I mean, I don't work in fast food, but what makes me different from all the other yayhoos out there? I am sure people can look at me and think one thing, and get to know me and learn something else...but is it something I would be proud of? Something God would say, 'Well done, my good and faithful servant?'
Honestly, I don't know. At times, probably. Most of the time? Probably not. And not so much because I am doing something outwardly that is so bad. More because of what's goin on on the inside. Like judging the Fazolis guy because he had diamonds in his ears and a sideways hat...
And like the "random encounter" with this kid, it was insignificant to him. He has no idea the challenge God used him for. He may not even believe in God. But I do. And how many missed opportunties have I not taken advantage of because it was too "insignificant?" That's not acceptable really. It's a total cop-out. Enough of that, time to take responsibility!
Lata
8.10.2009
6.22.2009
for what it's worth...
I think the thing that has always bothered me about blogging...who cares what I have to say? How many people are actually going to read the words that I write? Perhaps none. And I'm actually kind of content with that...I can be completely honest and just put my words out there and if someone reads them, okay, whatever. If no one does, I have a journal and I aired my thoughts. If someone hates what I have to say, they can move along, I'm not writing it for "someone" anyway. Still feels kind of self-absorbed, I suppose. But alas, here I am.
I think it's a shame when someone says their reason for being hesitant about this whole "God thing" is because of the church. Not specifically A church, but THE church, as a whole. They view the church as hypocritcal and self indulgent, judgemental, uptight, empty, fake, and dishonest. And you know, I have seen it and experienced it firsthand, I know exactly what they mean. And I understand...but I also understand that the church is unfortunately made up entirely of humans...and we've all sinned and we all fall short, right? None of us will get it right...which is precisely why Christ died and paid the price so that I don't have to and you don't have to. The CHURCH does not represent Christ to me, Christ represents Christ to me. I can make that seperation, but I have a relationship with Jesus Christ, God the Father and the Holy Spirit.
That being said, it is hard when you see, very clearly and openly, a church and her leaders leading people astray. They, like I said, are also human, sinful, and in the same boat as me. We all won't get it right; we can all try. And I have righteous anger for the things that I have seen that are not Biblical and have actually caused people to just throw their hands up and say, 'Forget you, God.' It breaks my heart that it's happened...but at the same time--when you look to people, you will ALWAYS be dissappointed. So, while "church" may be getting it wrong...we shouldn't be looking to the "church" in the first place. So then how do you have righteous anger about the situation? When we're all supposed to be one Body...I must add here, that I do think that when someone is in direct disregard to the Bible and its principals, it is a seperate matter...however, what does that look like then?
Ugh. The whole thing is so confusing and hard to actually work through. I don't know that I'll ever have a "solution" to this--its not really my job to, but I guess I do need more wisdom in the matter. Obviously, for the person looking to the church for an answer, I pray they can find it within the walls, but of course, they shouldn't be looking to the people, it's all about Christ. For the person who is leading, and leading wrong, I also need to continue forgiving and pray that it does change and does not harm anyone else. For the person who has already been hurt and has walked away...please, don't look to people. Not to me, your family, friends, or even your pastor. I have an incredible pastor now, I love him, but Pastor Ron has his own flaws. Get to know Christ a little more and look to him. You won't find anything you like in the rest of us. So don't judge God by what any of us do. Judge Him by what He did...you won't have anything to "judge," I promise--not if you really look.
For anyone who actually took the time to read that, hey, thanks. Feel free, if you have any wisdom to impart, post away. I don't know that I have anything else to say at this point, just kind of mulling it all over in my head. I wish there was a step by step, "Living Life for Dummies," book... Blast, there's not.
Lata
I think it's a shame when someone says their reason for being hesitant about this whole "God thing" is because of the church. Not specifically A church, but THE church, as a whole. They view the church as hypocritcal and self indulgent, judgemental, uptight, empty, fake, and dishonest. And you know, I have seen it and experienced it firsthand, I know exactly what they mean. And I understand...but I also understand that the church is unfortunately made up entirely of humans...and we've all sinned and we all fall short, right? None of us will get it right...which is precisely why Christ died and paid the price so that I don't have to and you don't have to. The CHURCH does not represent Christ to me, Christ represents Christ to me. I can make that seperation, but I have a relationship with Jesus Christ, God the Father and the Holy Spirit.
That being said, it is hard when you see, very clearly and openly, a church and her leaders leading people astray. They, like I said, are also human, sinful, and in the same boat as me. We all won't get it right; we can all try. And I have righteous anger for the things that I have seen that are not Biblical and have actually caused people to just throw their hands up and say, 'Forget you, God.' It breaks my heart that it's happened...but at the same time--when you look to people, you will ALWAYS be dissappointed. So, while "church" may be getting it wrong...we shouldn't be looking to the "church" in the first place. So then how do you have righteous anger about the situation? When we're all supposed to be one Body...I must add here, that I do think that when someone is in direct disregard to the Bible and its principals, it is a seperate matter...however, what does that look like then?
Ugh. The whole thing is so confusing and hard to actually work through. I don't know that I'll ever have a "solution" to this--its not really my job to, but I guess I do need more wisdom in the matter. Obviously, for the person looking to the church for an answer, I pray they can find it within the walls, but of course, they shouldn't be looking to the people, it's all about Christ. For the person who is leading, and leading wrong, I also need to continue forgiving and pray that it does change and does not harm anyone else. For the person who has already been hurt and has walked away...please, don't look to people. Not to me, your family, friends, or even your pastor. I have an incredible pastor now, I love him, but Pastor Ron has his own flaws. Get to know Christ a little more and look to him. You won't find anything you like in the rest of us. So don't judge God by what any of us do. Judge Him by what He did...you won't have anything to "judge," I promise--not if you really look.
For anyone who actually took the time to read that, hey, thanks. Feel free, if you have any wisdom to impart, post away. I don't know that I have anything else to say at this point, just kind of mulling it all over in my head. I wish there was a step by step, "Living Life for Dummies," book... Blast, there's not.
Lata
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