Why Do Mean People Get Their Way?

OK, so I'm frustrated, and this is going to sound totally different from any of my other posts, or at least I think so. It's not coming from a place of contemplation, but sheer frustration and disgust.

Recently I joined a gym, to remain nameless, but one in town here. There are a number of things since my joining that have irked me, and it's making me realize that only when I'm mean about it do I get anything done. Now don't get me wrong, but I like to think I'm usually nice about things, and correct me if I'm wrong, but so do others who know me.

So, I called this week and made a major stink about the most recent run-around I've gotten, mind you all so far have had to do with billing issues and follow-through on promotions that were offered as part of my membership. I basically laid out that if it was not handled by this Friday, they would have to cancel my membership. I gave this ultimatum in no uncertain terms. Anyway, I finally got my answer this afternoon, and they will have it handled (a check in my hand) by this Friday.

Now the question is: would I have gotten the same treatment had I been nice about it? I would have to say no. I've asked about this specific issue twice, and been given the run-around each time with answers only to temporarily satisfy my questions, and not to take care of the problem. Only when I got mean and demanded it to be taken care of did action get taken!

Is there a problem in our society that the nice people are thought of as softies, and therefore do not hold people to their commitments and expectations? I think this is a sad commentary on Americans. Can't I be nice and still mean business? Again, correct me if I'm wrong, but I'm usually a nice person, and one who can get along with anyone. Why do I have to be someone I'm not to be taken seriously?

OK, enough ranting and raving. Our culture needs to know that those of us who are nice mean business and are strong as well. Next time I might try the nice factor again, and hold my ground firmer while still being nice. I don't like to be mean, and yes, it's possible for any of you who might be wondering.

Well, thanks for reading my venting. Hope some of you can relate.

Reverence and Purity

OK, so as I write this I'm tired from a long day, and ready to go to bed. However, I received an email tonight from a friend who was encouraged by something I wrote on here. After rereading the post, I realized that God has once again used in my life our Tuesday night group to challenge me on something, and it needs to be shared.

This past Tuesday night, during the time of silent prayer, I was challenged that from the perspective of every person in the room, we were sitting in the presence of Christ. In this group, there is an emphasis on coming to the table of Christ only once one has confessed any sin that has dwelt in their lives, and then partaking together in purity. As we sat there adoring Christ's presence among us, I was struck with the idea/question of whether those in the room would feel as if there was a need for reconciliation before entering the chapel. Since it's the presence of Christ we adore, while this is in different forms in different places and experiences, even if we are not taking communion, should we ask Him to purify us before we even look upon His face?

This lead to another question: I wonder now at whether I should even enter the church on Sunday mornings before having asked for God to forgive my sins. I know that with a new life in Christ, I am made clean, but we are also expected to come before Him and make things right as time goes on, so we no longer live in our sins. I am challenged that I need to examine my heart before any time I enter into a place of worshipping our Lord, and by this I can continue to foster intimacy with Him and learn of His redemption more fully daily.

Beauty Uncovered from Prohibition

This weekend I started reading a book which a friend at a women's retreat graciously provided the funds to purchase. It's called "You Matter More Than You Think," by Leslie Parrott. Monday morning I was answering the ponder questions at the end of the second chapter, and I realized that the way I was raised had more of an impact than I thought. For years I've struggled with beauty. I've been told I'm beautiful, and I've even said it myself, but I've never believed it at all. Lately I'm more real with it in that I've been able to be honset and say I don't believe it.

Realizing that inner beauty is more important has also played into it, but I was never able to experience that as truth either. As I answered one of the questions about finding meaning in the little pieces of life, I realized that why I was never able to experience my own inner beauty is that it was not allowed. God made me relationally beautiful, and my heart was not allowed to express that as a child, or
even as an adult because I was still living under the old rules to which I am now in rebellion. Because I've lived my life in hiding where I am beautiful, I've never believed I am, and in pondering this question, I have found freedom and am going to start looking for ways where that beauty shines through.

As I look over the past two paragraphs, which are actually from an email I sent to the friend who purchased the book for me, I realize that this week has been difficult for me in that I am experiencing times of being relationally beautiful, but it still feels like sludge b/c I'm just learning how to relate to others from the viewpoint of having something importnat to offer in order to minster to their lives. I am learning, and much of that through sharing my story of faith and life, as well as simply my time and the very essence of my life, that this is beautiful, and that God sees this beauty as important. I'm learning through the photographs of another good friend that beauty is the essence of experiencing life to the fullest, and without beauty, we never truly learn to appreciate the gift of life given by the Father. I am blessed, and I hope to continue to learn how to experience that fullness as I allow myself to be beautiful as God has created me.

Today, take some time to rest and reflect on the gift of beauty that surrounds you this day. It's there, it just may take some looking. See it, drink it in, and know that God has given that to you as a gift and you are important to Him, more than anything you could ever give to Him or do for Him! You are important.