Maybe that's the reason God gives us these blood ties to people we might otherwise never have much to do with. It is a great opportunity to come out of ourselves and share life. Maybe family is where we are supposed to learn to do that.
At any rate, I'm not quite sure where this comes from, but there is scarcely a time when I am in the presence my dear, sweet Sister-in-Law (the one from Memphis in case you read this) that she doesn't ask me if I have gotten around to getting a cell phone yet.
I truely believe the dear woman is convinced that some dark, moonless night-
out on a cold and lonely road- my car is going to breathe it's last-
And there I will be- stranded- lost forever in the clutches of- you guessed it-
The Psycho Dentist Monster(Check June 18 blog).
I can not tell you all how many strange looks I get when my friends or people I meet for the first time ask me for my cell number and I announce- Uh......... sorry- I haven't moved into the 20th (or is it the 21st) century yet.
"Oh no- you poor man- how do you survive?
What will you do if................"
Honestly, these good hearted folks have me wondering-
What's wrong with me? Why have I not caved in?
Why have I not joined modern civilization with all it's wonderful convenience and marvelous communication capability?
I wish I had a good answer.................
As I think about it- I suppose the truth is I might just be too cheap.
In fact, I think it just might be a combination of the curse of Male Pride and Generational Poverty all wrapped into one.
Let me explain-
In my upbringing all purchases were examined from one major perspective-
Do we really need this thing?
You have to understand- We did not have money to spend on things that were not really, I mean really, really, really needed.
Now combine that with my Male Ego constantly creeping in to say, "Charles, you can't let them know you need anything- you can't ask for help- that will just expose how weak you truely are".
I know, I know- It's incredibly stupid and really messed up, but in those classic words of today's culture..............."It is what it is".
I do think I am getting better
1 John 3:1 "How great is the Love the Father has lavished upon us that we should be called Children of God"
It's strange- all of this reminds me of the episode in Mark 14 with Jesus being anointed by the woman at Bethany. You remember- Jesus is having dinner with his disciples and some religious types and in comes this woman- This woman who procedes to break a very expensive bottle of perfume- and in an extravagant display of love and humility she uses the perfume to anoint Jesus- pouring it out on Him to honor Him before the crucifixion.
All those around Him are caught up in a tizzy saying things like,"Why do You allow such waste- We could have fed the poor for an entire year with the money that perfume brought".
Ah, but this woman- this woman who had no thought of practicality at the time-
Her only thought was Love- Love for the Man who had saved her-
The One who had lifted her out of hopelessness and judgement-
It was pure Love on lavish display with nary a thought of what was practical.
Lord Jesus, Father God, Friend Jesus, Holy Spirit- make me like this woman- So capture and captivate my heart with Love for You and the people you bring my way that I simply forget what is practical- just for a moment- So that I am able to set aside pride- just for a moment- and then another and then another................
Move powerfully in me to pour out the Love that You have poured in-
Help me to pour it out wrecklessly- so that all the world may see Your Life and Your Love.
Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment