Today, an individual told me that I'm not really a Christian because, among other things, I am a woman who wears pants and makeup and cares about what her hair looks like. He said that even though I read the Bible, I obviously don't understand what it says, and I don't listen to anything that God is trying to tell me. He also told me that I'm rebellious.
Like I said, I'm still processing.
Huh?
5 comments:
*blinks* Um....wow. You don't hear much of that these days.
This puts me in mind of our earlier discussion of 'stumbling-block maniplation'. Not that this is the same thing or from the same motivation, but remember it's God who does the judging! Trust in the Holy Spirit's leading and don't worry about pleasing people. Most of all, don't doubt your authenticity! That's Satan trying to get in your head. *sigh* I think women (who are more easily upset by such comments, voice of experience here) are particularly prone to fall for this sort of sneak attack.
Um...all that to say...I love you just as you are!
Wow. Umm... wow. People have said similar to me (well, not about the hair & makeup), and while it sets me a bit off balance, that's one of those things I (personally) don't even bother to process. Obviously it depends on WHO said this to you (relationship, situation, etc), so maybe you have no choice but to process it, but I just don't have the patience to deal with that kind of attitude anymore. I pray for them and move on. Call me heartless and jaded if you must :)
Dear Courtney,
I feel like such a putz. I've been meaning to tell you that since the first day I met you. Worse yet, all of Canada shares my sentiment.
I'm just sorry I had to jump on the bandwagon. I've been plotting a coup, but now that the wind has begun to blow, let it not be said that I do not also blow.
Its all true, I have seen you wear pants. And sometimes you disagree with me, thats pretty rebellious.
And if you'll give me a sec I'll get that verse and lay the smack down.
Well, I seem to have left my New Slack Jawed Yokel Version in the car. So I'll have to owe you one.
My mom is pretty good about gently handling these situtations, you may quote her. Just tell them to "Blow it out their Areopagus"
In Christian Love,
Joel
Did they mean pants as in, like, jeans or you "wear the pants" in the family. Either way, I think they're dissapointed :)
I think the rebellious comment should be stricken from the record as irrelevant, since that's not a sin. It's more of a "that depends" kind of a character trait, anyway.
I echo wise Patricia and say "I love you just as you are!"
Patricia: Stumbling-block-manipulation indeed! I think that's exactly what it is. And often, the motivation for it truly is arrogance and pride instead of genuine weakness.
But more on that in a later post--I don't want to give all of my thoughts away here. ;o)
And I love you the way you are, too, Patricia! Thank you for the encouragement! :o)
Steve: I've been meaning to speak to you about your hair and makeup issue, but it's just never been the right time. ;o)
I think the reason I feel the need to process this is that the individual in question claims to be a Christian. (His attitude would prove otherwise....but on the other hand, that's exactly what he was saying about me!) But I don't think moving on could be considered heartless and jaded. Wise and practical, more like. I think that for me, the "processing" part was more about dealing with shock than with anything else! ;o)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Joel: Ahh, the truth finally comes out. I always knew that you were holding back on something, but I was never sure just what it could be. Everything is so much clearer now, I feel that I can truly be at peace and move on with my life. Don't feel like a putz! It took a lot of gumption to speak your inner mind.
If your NSJYV leaves you still feeling perplexed and dissatisfied, I've got a nice, holy Down Home Hillbilly Version, Rvsd. Ed., that you are more than welcome to borrow. After I'm through beating someone over the head with it.
I just hope blowing it out their Areopagus doesn't hurt. (Tell your mom thanks--I LOVE it.)
Joel, you really bring out the cathartic sarcastic in me. ;o) Thanks for helping me just give up and laugh!
Bri: Well, I suspect that this individual isn't the kind of person to strike *anything* from the record. However, that wasn't the first time I've been accused of rebellion, so I suppose I'll survive.
And yes, he did mean pants as in jeans. Unfortunately, I failed to ask him where he left his Old-Testament-style cloak (not to mention his weekly animal sacrifices), seeing as how Moses never wore a pair of slacks, either.
Thanks for the encouragement, Bri! I love you the way you are, too! :o)
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