Love for all creatures

 

                                                        Photo prompt

 

“This on-line dating thing is kinda tricky…I wonder if she meant to meet here in the thick grass under the maple tree or the thick grass under the oak tree?...  I should have made a print-out…I hope she likes the trash can I’ve selected for our dinner…Did I remember to wash my face?...

 

 

 

 I know, I know...I am as cute as a banana wrapped with rotten bacon...She would love this place! There is a large garbage heap behind the church...You think she would like that.  Church music and trash...what more could she ask for?

 

 

If she loves art, we should hook up. Notice the

finger work and color strokes! We could make beautiful works

of art.  Wonder awaits that girl! 

 

 Well, there you go.  Your love and passion await you.  Don't be shy...go for it.  I recommend you get this chance of love, don't pass it by.

 

 

 

You have to be taught

My parents were part of a strict Protestant sect in a rural town in the Midwest. Our town's population was about 450, including farm families. There were four churches of different denominations, and most of them were also strict.

No movies, no dancing, eating where liquor was served, basically the choices for a date was also strict.

Not only was it a strict place, but a white bread place. I had never seen a person of different color, race, faith until I was in college. The world was opened up, somewhat scary and always exciting. South Pacific was much the same, but heartbreaking in conflict of WW2, meeting indigent peoples. Respect? 

West Side Story, we have seen it in many stage plays.  The social, political, and people of that era says so much the 50s didn't say.

South Pacific stage play

West Side Story

What I watched and understood as a teenager morphed as I became an adult. Great musical, great actors and voice! Great messages, if you look for them.

And now, as the 21st century is rolling down the tracks, we still have to look at the world around us and see the horrific things done to humans, some in the name of education and others in the way of ignorance, some to hurt on purpose and others to get even.

 

Being strict means paying attention to choices made and seeing how they affect me, my life, my beliefs, and ultimately my life.

 

How does this sound to you? 

 

Looking for answers

Uh huh. Yes. Oh really?

Perhaps one of the annoying habits and the hardest to break that people possess is not listening to what other people are saying.  Not just nodding politely, but is one actively listening with understanding in their eyes?

Guilty. I am so guilty of this. 

Over my lifetime, my mind has always been wandering, thinking about what I want to say in answer to their words. I want to tell my story! Let me interrupt you and tell my story. Their last sentence comes to a logical end, then I grab the reins before they reach the full stop.

Their eyes glaze over briefly before I hit my stride and then they relax. Oh, well, they think, politely smiling. Are they also mind-plumbing for their next reply?

It doesn't end with conversations. When our progeny were small, I would sit in church and the pastor would be preaching, sincerely presenting the Word of God. I fed my youngest progeny Cheerios and let the middle progeny play with his cars. The oldest one was quietly drawing.  

What was I doing? Hearing Pastor talk and nodding my head in agreement. What was I really doing?  

I was wondering if the crock pot chicken would be done. Would Sherlock Holmes (Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce) be on after I washed dishes? Did I move the wet clothes to the dryer?

Yes, inane random thoughts would invade my brain, while I nodded in response to God's message.

Perhaps the worst not-listening is when God is talking to me.

We have an on-going conversation throughout the day with me querying Him and then hearing His first four words, before I jump in: Yes, I am right.  Then my mind wonders off to laundry or dinner.

Let God Talk.  Then, wait. Don't cut Him off. He knows what you are going to say, but He wants you to hear Him. 

Let God Talk. He knows the answers to questions you are asking. He understands your fears, your worries. God is in charge. 

Let God Talk. He has a plan for your life. Even though you groan and shout at Him, He is big enough to absorb your pain and your anger.

Don't interrupt God. Don't ignore God. Don't guess what He is going to say.

Be still and know that I am God. Psalms 46:10

Ask and it will be given to you;
seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened. Matt. 7:7

Let. God. Talk.

AND then LISTEN.

 

He listens. Do we?