Expectations-Social Situations

So, I guess it's a good thing that my ministry is doing a series about relationship expectations. But, man, I don't know how to do this. I just expect certain things from people. I think that they're pretty basic, but everyone grew up with a different set of rules.

I just am shocked by the lack of respect people have for themselves, others, and property not their own.

It just amazes me that there is so little respect in my generation, and I severely dislike it.

I was recently in a semi-professional meeting, and at the end, one of the participants laid down...okay. But then they put their shoes on the chair.

I don't know how many variations of this there are, but I have heard from a great many people that you never put your shoes on furniture. Your feet, yes, but shoes, no. Feet even have furniture, it's called an ottoman. There IS a reason that there are separate pieces of furniture for feet and bottoms.

I was also schooled that we should treat another person's property how we would like ours to be treated, and this works well in most situations. I would be quite taken aback if someone came over to my home and put their shoes on my couch! So I would never go anywhere and place my shoes on furniture belonging to someone else.

I was so unsure of cultural differences and customs that I conducted a poll. I tried to get a small sample from each socioeconomic status. I randomly called people and asked them, "If there is no precedence, is it ever appropriate to put you shoes (with your feet inside) on a piece of furniture not belonging to you."

All but 2 answers agreed that it was never appropriate to place your shoes on any piece of furniture.

The other 2 responses:
Joel- If they had a really disgusting house.
Brad- If they had just cleaned the floor.

To me, this is part of basic social etiquette. So, for all the 20 somethings and below out there:

Keep your shoes off the furniture!

Morning Glory

Okay, this one I wrote last August. This is only a third of the poem, but it's pretty long so I will do 3 separate posts for it. I hope you like it. May it bring you smiles and a renewed passion for your first Love.

Part 1

I thank you that when I reach up to Heaven
You bring Heaven down to me.
That in You I've found my desire
My bless-ed reason to be.

Jesus came with my cross, says,
“I've been carrying it for a while.
But I knew you’d ask for it back.”
And He returns it with a smile.

Of the million others on His back
None seem to break His stride.
“It’s not the weight that bothers me,
It’s the sins they try to hide.”

We walk ahead in silence,
I'm lost in my own things.
Even as we trudge I can’t help,
But sneak loving glances at my King.

He rewards my glimpses,
Adores the way I peek,
So He pulls me close to Him,
Plants a kiss on my cheek.

I’m glowing under His love
And though my burden is weighing down
My Christ is next to me
And ahead, is my crown.

Jesus studies me slowly
Inquires of His bride,
“You know Satan’s after you?”
Grips me closer to His side.

A shiver goes down my spine,
As I think of the one despised
“He can’t harm you when we’re this close,
But he’s always heavily disguised.”

I know these words are precious.
I focus, and try not to blink.
And it seems I see tears of heartache
Flowing down my Savior’s cheek.

Connection- C.H.

So, this is a poem I wrote this past summer. It was in response to something someone said to me and a conversation that he and I had. I came across it again and figured I should post it, enjoy.

Connection
I'm feeling a connection
I know you feel it too
But I can’t show you affection
Because of you know Who.
It’s bouncing and it’s riding
Along the words we speak
So there’s no use in hiding
The desire we both seek.
But there’s a way and ti-me
For everything we do
And there is no cri-me
In what we’re going through.
But I just cannot let
Emotions rule my world
Because of the effect
It has on this sweet girl.
So bide your time, and wisely
For temptations will be strong
But if we don’t lie idly
Then we can do no wrong.
So don’t use the connection
For things we cannot bear
If we abuse the power
The(n) ‘us’ will not be there.
I've got to let the new-ness
of meeting you assuage
cuz we’re focused on the wrong thing
in this dire day and age.
Don’t let these words alarm you
Because I love you so
But if this doesn’t stop soon…
I’ll have to let you go.

So don’t let the connection
We feel dismiss our goal
Of warning every sin-ner,
Of saving every soul.

I pray that you would feel me
And not take this to heart.
Cuz when we’re not together
It means that we’re apart

Rapid Character Building

That's what it is! Rapid character building. I finally get why I can't get away with anything lately.

I have been placed in everyone's shoes every time I made a comment or posed a question. I have been pretty much forced to empathize with every situation. I have had my eyes opened to how certain things that I or others do make people feel. And now I get it. God is doing some rapid character building! Still not sure why, but at least I know what!

I realize now that some of the ways I do things offends people. For example, I am very 'business first'. I do away with small talk and such and go right into business. It is how I have always been. Almost as if I need to know if I can relax or do I have to do your job for you. It's not personal, it's just the way I operate. Recently, one of my roommates and I had a conversation about that, and brought it to my attention that she's exactly the opposite in that manner. She likes to say hello, and get the general 'how are you' questions out of the way first.

Also, I am very hard on a select few people. I have no idea why, I just am. And God has definitely shown me that I have no right to correct ANYONE and that I'm not giving everyone the attitude of Christ I am commanded to.

And, I make sharp comments sometimes, again, only to a short list of people. It's not out of dislike or anything, but it happens. And it has to stop.

In the past month, I have been corrected by a laundry list of people. I have had to make some hard calls that were crushing to my will (a good thing). And I have been bombarded with how God expects me to act in contrast with how I am acting...

Rapid Character Building. It's not my favorite lesson and I still don't know why I'm being taught it now, but here's what I have to say:

Bring it on, God. Bring it on.

Sound the Battle Cry

Under attack
Under attack
I'm under attack
and I can't look back.

I feel it. I feel the attack. It's coming from many different directions and it's driving me CRAZY!

It is absolutely maddening, and I struggle to continually remember that "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."

But boy oh boy would it be easier to go off on another person for things they say, they way they say them, or the little irritating things they do.

I know, I KNOW, that it's not personal and I have no right to be offended, but I get so upset anyway.

Anyhow, since I can't give details, that's all I have to say. I am under attack and it's not weakening me, just pissing me off.

Eh.

And the Pressure Builds...

So, more and more I feel these emotions out of nowhere. Like the urge to cry, a feeling of heaviness, and now this anticipation.

I don't know what I am anticipating, but I feel like it's going to be a change. And it makes me nervous. I mean, my life is completely, in God's hands...which is what makes me nervous. He likes to make examples out of people and do crazy 'move you across the world and work harvesting figs' stuff with people. But he also likes to do 'let me introduce you into a whole new understanding of my love for all people' stuff.

So, I accept whatever is happening. Praise God for warning. Heh.

later.

...

AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!






whatever.