The weeks before Christmas I found myself struggling with sadness over the orphans of Reece's Rainbow (one in particular actually). I shouldn't say "struggling" because it isn't a bad thing. I just couldn't get it out of my head how many precious children need families.
After Christmas, I find myself struggling with a different kind of sadness. Sadness over the inability our society has to really connect with people. One group that we were with prefers to keep talks on the surface. We talk about the weather, football, and how to cook a great ham. I always leave depressed. "We never talk about anything REAL!," I lament to Kyle as we leave. When serious topics come up, they are met with sarcasm and joking. Thus is our culture. People just doesn't know how to handle the stuff that is real.
Have you noticed that if you answer "How are you doing?" with anything other than "I'm fine", people don't know how to handle it? I'm not talking about strangers here. I'm talking about people who love and care about you.
When you ask someone how they are doing, give them time to tell you the truth. Maybe they're not fine. Maybe they need your encouragement. Maybe they are really great and want to tell you about it. But they always want to talk about themselves. Give them patience and time to do it.
"By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another."
John 13:35
5 comments:
I've been burdened for the Reece's Rainbow children, too. I would love to add one of the children to our family. I was greatly encouraged a couple of days ago, though. One of the boys that I had 'fall in love with' and blogged about, is home! Read the posts about completed adoptions for some encouragement.
As for the superficiality of society, that will never change. I feel blessed in this manner, since our small church really does get into the deep stuff. You *can* answer queries truthfully, and expect to get some real compassion and prayer when you need it. Society in general, though, would never respond that way. I don't expect anything less than 'me, me, me' so I don't think much about it, I guess.
We read this verse just this morning, I think it applies:
"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing." 1 Peter 3:8-10
Oh, Ginger, your post is/has been my "burden" for days (weeks, months, years) now. I even wrote recently to our Pastor's wife about this, but I think she just didn't get it. I spent my husband's devotion time this morning lamenting over this very thing. John 13:34-35 are life passages for me, and without them in our lives, there is not evidence of a true follower of Jesus. Thank you for posting this.
Loretta, Hebrews 10:24
My husband's Uncle always asks "how are you?". People usually respond with the typical "I'm fine". Uncle J then places his hand on their shoulder, looks them in the eyes, and says, "now really, how are you?".
It is a beautiful thing when someone cares enough to move past the weather, football, and ham!
RobinC
Thank you for making us aware of RR. Im going to check that out.
As for the the lack of deep relationships, yes I have noticed it and yes it bothers me. The Bible tells us to confess our faults one to one another that we may be healed...we have the ability ot HEAL EACH OTHER by sharing our hearts and yet we dont. I wonder if Twitter FB Myspace ect have something to do with the surface relating we have going on. We try to project these witty snarky beautiful in one sentence or less personas. Now how does that promote any kind of true relationship? It promotes our egos. 1 John mentions love 26 times! Brother 13 times! The book is full of commands to love each other...yet were selfish...Sorry about the book...you hit a nerve!
Wow. The children at RR have completely captured my heart too.
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