I try, and usually succeed, in being the person who doesn't lay blame where it isn't due, or the kind of person that lays judgment. The former I am learning to not do, and the latter I just hate...so I don't find it beneficial for anyone. As of late, I have noticed that it is almost just easier to keep my trap shut in all areas, and that there is a fine line between saying something constructive and saying something judgmental.
How do I determine what is what? Very carefully! What I have realized about myself, and perhaps this should be true, is that I get more angry at those who profess a "faith" and spout derogatory muck than those who do it who don't profess anything. Now, whether the one who doesn't talk religion considers themselves a religious person if they don't mention it and continue to spout dirt...I don't care as much. I consider it a lack in personal respect. But, if one professes, and turns around and spits dirt all over themselves and the rest of the world, I get angry.
In life there are some things and some people that get all of us. They get the good the bad and all the in-betweens...those people I consider my safe zone. I have some people in my life that see me spout dirt and then in the next breath spout my faith. Why? Because they see the real battle between my humanness and my spirit. It is always a battle, but not everyone has to see it.
There is a scripture that talks about not letting the left hand know what your right is doing. It usually comes up in the liturgy during Lent. It is a means to keep oneself humble while doing what we are called to do. If we give alms, give it. If we fast, do it. If we pray, silence it. It isn't about us anyway. It is about the heart of the matter. It is for the glory of the One who deserves it.
Back to the spouting it...if I hear of someone who is a Christian or Muslim or Jewish, and profess it honestly, then I would require of them a higher standard, as I would hope they would require of me. That's the hard part. What I require of them not only should they require of me but also I should require it of myself. We have every right to feel mistreated, slighted, or even wronged, but we have no right to throw that wrong in the face of the one who wronged us.
I was thinking of my friend who I recently walked from, and in an instant I felt all the emotions well up inside of me. I really really wanted to dwell on them to keep the anger fresh and vivid in my mind. But, I couldn't figure out for what purpose that would help. Would it help me? Hardly. Would he care? Doubtful. Then? For nothing...I must get better at not just not spouting dirt but thinking it as well. And for me that is tough! My mind can go anywhere and everywhere for the benefit of my own momentary sake. Because in the end, I get no benefit.
St. Francis says this, "Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary use words." I bring this up for the purpose of this: when we talk the talk, we benefit no one; when we talk the walk, we benefit ourselves (for a short time), and when we walk the walk, in humbled silence, we benefit the whole world...which in turn, benefits ourselves forever.
How do I determine what is what? Very carefully! What I have realized about myself, and perhaps this should be true, is that I get more angry at those who profess a "faith" and spout derogatory muck than those who do it who don't profess anything. Now, whether the one who doesn't talk religion considers themselves a religious person if they don't mention it and continue to spout dirt...I don't care as much. I consider it a lack in personal respect. But, if one professes, and turns around and spits dirt all over themselves and the rest of the world, I get angry.
In life there are some things and some people that get all of us. They get the good the bad and all the in-betweens...those people I consider my safe zone. I have some people in my life that see me spout dirt and then in the next breath spout my faith. Why? Because they see the real battle between my humanness and my spirit. It is always a battle, but not everyone has to see it.
There is a scripture that talks about not letting the left hand know what your right is doing. It usually comes up in the liturgy during Lent. It is a means to keep oneself humble while doing what we are called to do. If we give alms, give it. If we fast, do it. If we pray, silence it. It isn't about us anyway. It is about the heart of the matter. It is for the glory of the One who deserves it.
Back to the spouting it...if I hear of someone who is a Christian or Muslim or Jewish, and profess it honestly, then I would require of them a higher standard, as I would hope they would require of me. That's the hard part. What I require of them not only should they require of me but also I should require it of myself. We have every right to feel mistreated, slighted, or even wronged, but we have no right to throw that wrong in the face of the one who wronged us.
I was thinking of my friend who I recently walked from, and in an instant I felt all the emotions well up inside of me. I really really wanted to dwell on them to keep the anger fresh and vivid in my mind. But, I couldn't figure out for what purpose that would help. Would it help me? Hardly. Would he care? Doubtful. Then? For nothing...I must get better at not just not spouting dirt but thinking it as well. And for me that is tough! My mind can go anywhere and everywhere for the benefit of my own momentary sake. Because in the end, I get no benefit.
St. Francis says this, "Preach the gospel at all times, and when necessary use words." I bring this up for the purpose of this: when we talk the talk, we benefit no one; when we talk the walk, we benefit ourselves (for a short time), and when we walk the walk, in humbled silence, we benefit the whole world...which in turn, benefits ourselves forever.
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