Just recently I have been convicted by the Holy Spirit about this one thing: reaching out to others; especially to those in the household of Faith. So in retaliation to the overwhelming apathy now-adays, I extended my arm out in the hopes of grasping another's.
I aqainted myself with a young man of seventeen I use to go to church with. We instantly loved talking to one another. But I found myself with this constant nagging that I should meet his parents and talk to them. I didn't know how or what to say if I did get the chance.
But God gave me the opportunity. The father of this young man began working for a couple of days at my work. He sat right beside me!!!
"What should I say to him?," I whispered excitedly with a bit of worry.
So I began talking to him and instantly found myself once again in the midst of a grumpy christian. He didn't show any hatred but his stern and annoyed expressions did. I talked to this man as if we had been friends for years--boldly loving him and telling him that I would pray for him really hard for anything he needed---of which I got little or none response.
That day, when he left and his son came in to work a little later, I got a terrible feeling. His son told me how utterly annoyed his father was. I asked him, "Was it something I said?". He replied, "No, I think it was just the fact that you talked too much. But don't worry, my dad is always grumpy. I mean he never smiles or anything," he said with a bit of anger.
Of course it hurt! I think tears came to my eyes that night. The reason was because I tried sooo hard to love someone with brotherly love as we are commanded to in the Bible.
The next day, I saw his father and with despair and sadness I didn't say a word. I felt horrible. I guess he began to sense something wrong and he tried asking me a few questions--perhaps out of guilt. But I hung my head and hindered myself from properly answering. He felt it--the sadness. I regretted it later. I said to myself, "I should have said something!"
I really didn't expect to have ever talked to him again. But the Lord heard my concerns for this man's spiritual well-being. The Lord gave me another chance. Once again, into work I came and worked right beside him. I didn't delay this time!!! I really didn't care what he thought of me---I couldn't allow myself to ignore this chance. I blurted out with care in my voice, " I'm sorry for last week. I was a bit down in the dumps." Surprisingly he replied cheerily, "Oh, that's OK, we all get that way at times."
I had an amazingly nice conversation with him. BUT....this time he was the one that couldn't stop talking and he encouraged me spiritually and emotionally. Now, I thought this was very odd. This guy's attitude changed right before my eyes. I knew why though....God!
I prayed earnestly for this man the night before. I prayed that this man might grow spiritually and that my words (few and pathetic as they were) might be used for God's Glory. God does answer prayer!!! Praise God!
Has anyone else encountered a "Grumpy Christian"?
Sucat
I aqainted myself with a young man of seventeen I use to go to church with. We instantly loved talking to one another. But I found myself with this constant nagging that I should meet his parents and talk to them. I didn't know how or what to say if I did get the chance.
But God gave me the opportunity. The father of this young man began working for a couple of days at my work. He sat right beside me!!!
"What should I say to him?," I whispered excitedly with a bit of worry.
So I began talking to him and instantly found myself once again in the midst of a grumpy christian. He didn't show any hatred but his stern and annoyed expressions did. I talked to this man as if we had been friends for years--boldly loving him and telling him that I would pray for him really hard for anything he needed---of which I got little or none response.
That day, when he left and his son came in to work a little later, I got a terrible feeling. His son told me how utterly annoyed his father was. I asked him, "Was it something I said?". He replied, "No, I think it was just the fact that you talked too much. But don't worry, my dad is always grumpy. I mean he never smiles or anything," he said with a bit of anger.
Of course it hurt! I think tears came to my eyes that night. The reason was because I tried sooo hard to love someone with brotherly love as we are commanded to in the Bible.
The next day, I saw his father and with despair and sadness I didn't say a word. I felt horrible. I guess he began to sense something wrong and he tried asking me a few questions--perhaps out of guilt. But I hung my head and hindered myself from properly answering. He felt it--the sadness. I regretted it later. I said to myself, "I should have said something!"
I really didn't expect to have ever talked to him again. But the Lord heard my concerns for this man's spiritual well-being. The Lord gave me another chance. Once again, into work I came and worked right beside him. I didn't delay this time!!! I really didn't care what he thought of me---I couldn't allow myself to ignore this chance. I blurted out with care in my voice, " I'm sorry for last week. I was a bit down in the dumps." Surprisingly he replied cheerily, "Oh, that's OK, we all get that way at times."
I had an amazingly nice conversation with him. BUT....this time he was the one that couldn't stop talking and he encouraged me spiritually and emotionally. Now, I thought this was very odd. This guy's attitude changed right before my eyes. I knew why though....God!
I prayed earnestly for this man the night before. I prayed that this man might grow spiritually and that my words (few and pathetic as they were) might be used for God's Glory. God does answer prayer!!! Praise God!
Has anyone else encountered a "Grumpy Christian"?
Sucat
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