Before I launch into the actual commission of thought to words, i should probably preface it by telling what led to this train of thought. I work with a number of very sarcastic, rude, and bitter people. Most of them are 50 or older, and are stuck in the job that they're in because they basically have no other place to go. All of them use tobacco and alcohol on a regular basis, and a number are divorced.
The other day, I (unknowingly) opened a very rank can of worms about abortion. I assumed, foolishly, that none of them would support it, since they all have kids of their own, and a number have grandkids. Suddenly a violent explosion of anger and caustic fury erupted upon me. Apparently both of them support early-term abortions, because they say the child isn’t viable on it’s own and therefore not really a human being. I of course argued about whether it was a potential child or not, etc.
The point is, we had a spirited “discussion” where neither of us was willing to compromise or consider changing our beliefs. And it got me started on thinking about the impudent audacity of human beings. We find a position on an issue, or an opinion about music, or we think we've found truth in a religion or belief system. And when we choose a side, an opinion, a religion, we put all our faith, trust, and value in that side, opinion, or religion. And as we grow older, we become less willing to change our position, either because we've gotten so good at defending it, or we're unwilling to consider the implications of a different world view. Or, (and this is my personal opinion) we're ashamed and terrified of appearing wrong in front of our peers.
Whether you believe it or not, peer pressure is at work even after Junior High. Human beings deeply desire, among other things, acceptance by our peers. And when we think or behave differently from them, or worse, change a position we once held with them to one they oppose, we do not get this acceptance. We are looked upon as an outcast, a "wannabe", or even an enemy. So to avoid hostility, we hold onto our beliefs, even though we know they are wrong.
There's a saying that we never learn from when we're right, but when we're wrong. Nothing is closer to the truth. Better to admit you were wrong, choose what is right, and lose some face among your friends than to cling stubbornly to erroneous belief systems. It takes a healthy share of humility, but don't humans need humility as much as they do right beliefs and right living, or righteousness, as God says?
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
The End of A Long Journey
As I sit and listen to Dustin Kensrue's song, "Please Come Home", I can't help but tear up as I think about the many families that have been through the prodigal son story themselves. The way he writes his words, and the tunes with them, reminds me how important family really is in this world of pain, sin, and alienation. It is now no surprise to me that people wish they could trade fame, riches, and even friendships for a strong, solid family life.
The reason this is titled "The End of a Long Journey" is because just last week, my sister decided to end a very hurtful and unhealthy relationship with her boyfriend of nearly 3 years. During that time she had estranged herself, whether knowingly or no, from the rest of our family. She was doubtlessly living in sin, and hardly ever seemed like she was very happy, though she lied to herself and us that she was, truly, happy with her relationship and life. We tried to be as loving and kind to her as we could, but she was always so "busy" that we rarely saw her. Family dinners were always tense, as we could tell Jewelie was trying very hard not to say anything that would offend us, or accidentally inform us of the sin in her life. It was palatable, watching her choose her words so carefully, and quickly cleaning up after a slip of the tongue that told the truth.
But what hurt us more than the lies, or the sin, or even her absence was that, for all this time, the person that called herself Jewelie Chausse and looked like Jewelie Chausse, really wasn't Jewelie Chausse. She had hidden herself under a guise of rebellion and sin, and we missed her dearly.
But now she is back! The past few days have been filled with sudden bright rays of authenticity, as the old(er) sister made a new appearance, albeit with some timidity. She is herself once again, and I can hardly believe it myself, that she really is back for good. I realize that there is a great deal of healing and growing ahead, but I am grateful that Jewelie is willing to make an effort to do so, and I hope to be an encouragement to her in as many ways as I can.
As for you, dear reader, I hope that you will carefully consider the person (or people) in your life that may be going through a similar experience. Maybe you have written them off, telling yourself that they're out of reach, beyond saving. Let me assure you that nothing could be further from the truth! The days before Jewelie told me she was breaking up with her boyfriend, that was the last thing on my mind. Yes, my family and I would get together and pray for her once a month or so, but I didn't think this was coming anytime soon. So don't give up hope! Your friends may be closer to redemption than you think. Also, prayer WORKS. It just may take longer than you think it should.
Ronald Leroy Chausse'
The reason this is titled "The End of a Long Journey" is because just last week, my sister decided to end a very hurtful and unhealthy relationship with her boyfriend of nearly 3 years. During that time she had estranged herself, whether knowingly or no, from the rest of our family. She was doubtlessly living in sin, and hardly ever seemed like she was very happy, though she lied to herself and us that she was, truly, happy with her relationship and life. We tried to be as loving and kind to her as we could, but she was always so "busy" that we rarely saw her. Family dinners were always tense, as we could tell Jewelie was trying very hard not to say anything that would offend us, or accidentally inform us of the sin in her life. It was palatable, watching her choose her words so carefully, and quickly cleaning up after a slip of the tongue that told the truth.
But what hurt us more than the lies, or the sin, or even her absence was that, for all this time, the person that called herself Jewelie Chausse and looked like Jewelie Chausse, really wasn't Jewelie Chausse. She had hidden herself under a guise of rebellion and sin, and we missed her dearly.
But now she is back! The past few days have been filled with sudden bright rays of authenticity, as the old(er) sister made a new appearance, albeit with some timidity. She is herself once again, and I can hardly believe it myself, that she really is back for good. I realize that there is a great deal of healing and growing ahead, but I am grateful that Jewelie is willing to make an effort to do so, and I hope to be an encouragement to her in as many ways as I can.
As for you, dear reader, I hope that you will carefully consider the person (or people) in your life that may be going through a similar experience. Maybe you have written them off, telling yourself that they're out of reach, beyond saving. Let me assure you that nothing could be further from the truth! The days before Jewelie told me she was breaking up with her boyfriend, that was the last thing on my mind. Yes, my family and I would get together and pray for her once a month or so, but I didn't think this was coming anytime soon. So don't give up hope! Your friends may be closer to redemption than you think. Also, prayer WORKS. It just may take longer than you think it should.
Ronald Leroy Chausse'
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