Where God's Word Meets Our Mess
I’m a big fan of Paris—at least the idea of Paris. I’ve never actually been to Paris, but it’s on my bucket list. I own several canvas paintings that depict the Eiffel Tower. I even shared a (mostly positive) post about Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris not long ago. But even though it’s set in Paris, the TV show Emily in Paris is something I’ve purposely avoided—for one unavoidable reason.
Don’t get me wrong—I love my phone. I love that I can text, make calls, go online, make notes, and set timers using one portable device. It can be used for great things, from tithing online to staying in touch with missionaries. But when we use our phones rather than pay attention to the people we're with, we communicate that we care more about our phones (and ourselves) than them.
As I wrote about a couple weeks ago, Christmas used to feel so exhilarating. When I was younger, it was full of wonder and excitement. I laid in bed on Christmas Eve as I wondered if I heard Santa’s sleigh on our roof. I poured my heart into decorating the Christmas tree with tons of ornaments and hand-woven snowflakes that my grandmother had made. I picked out special gifts for my parents, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. Now, however, I spend a lot of the Christmas season in a melancholic state.
I prayed a very simple prayer yesterday morning: "God, help me be friendly to someone who is lonely." I know that God gives us opportunities to give Him glory, but I usually mess up those opportunities—including the opportunity that He gave me yesterday.
If we don't obey the Bible and love other people, the world won't be able to see a difference in us. And neither will the church.
I'm not nearly as friendly or kind or loving as I should be. I need to step out and stop thinking about myself for more than 30 seconds each day. Because someone out there is hurting, and someone out there is thinking about committing suicide or inflicting pain upon themselves.
Tizzie's Tidbits of Truth 