Annoying.

August 8, 2011 in Insights with Comments Off

Who have you met who drove you crazy? You know, the one who annoys the crap out of you; the person who you can’t stand to be around. Here’s the problem I faced the other day. I was frustrated because of some annoying individual, and then, BOOM! God convicted me. He turned the tables, and I began to examine my own life.

I get annoyed by people who are self-centered, because I, too, am self-centered. I get annoyed by hyper-critical individuals because I’m hyper-critical. I find arrogance, negativity, and pettiness annoying. Yet I can be all of those things myself. When I get annoyed with someone it’s normally I who exhibit those traits.

Obviously we should be living a little more graciously, but here’s what I’ve started doing. When someone annoys me, I ask myself if there is anyone I should apologize to for acting the same way. I’ve learned to cut people some slack, since none of us are perfect. Plus, I’ve cleared the air with several others. I would challenge you to do the same today. Whenever you’re annoyed, ask yourself who you’ve annoyed in the same way.

What is the most annoying trait in others? Do you think you exhibit it also?

Image Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net / m_bartosch

Crowded.

August 5, 2011 in Family, Insights with Comments Off

Today our family left. For the last seven days we’ve had 8 family members visiting with us. Needless to say, our 1000 square foot house was a little overwhelmed. I’ll be honest, at first I was a little nervous about how small our house was, a little embarrassed. I wish I had an impressive house with groundskeepers, full time chef, and at least a butler or two. But I don’t. We have one bathroom, and a couple bedrooms. No atrium, or lobby, or grandiose staircase.

I know it was wrong for me to wish I was more impressive to my inlaws. I know I should be grateful that I’ve got a place to live, let alone enough space for everyone to stay here. Yet, I wanted them to know that I was doing everything to take care of Bethany. But as I thought more and more about it, I love my home, and I love the message that I hope it teaches my nieces and nephews.

I hope our small living quarters teaches them about living simply. I hope the area we live in teaches them that they can feel safe wherever they live. I hope our house teaches them to live below their means. I hope cramming 10 people into 1000 square feet teaches them that being able to spend time with them is more important than comfort. I hope our lives teach them what it means to have fun while following Jesus.

If I were to come visit, what would you hope your home would say about you?

Image Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net / Photostock

Letter.

August 4, 2011 in Insights, Writing with Comments Off

The other day I was challenged with “if you could write a letter to the 18-year old version of yourself what would you say?” I spent the better part of the last couple weeks mulling over the idea, and finally landed on a few bullet points I’d give myself at 18.

-You aren’t as great as you think you are.

I thought I had Christianity figured out. I had an exhaustive list of things I never did, and wanted everyone to know when I thought something was right or wrong. Looking back, I was one of those people who now annoy me the most.

-Spiritual disciplines are a means, not an end.

I was obsessed with spiritual disciplines, often to the neglect of actually connecting with God. God didn’t want journal entries, or chapters checked off a list. Rather, God wants a relationship.

-Visit your mom more often; she’s actually pretty cool.

I was a selfish college student. I was obsessed with my life, my grades, my friends, my future job… my, my, my. There were semesters where I barely went home to visit family. Looking back, that was obviously a mistake. My mom and brother are two of the people I’m closest to, and I should have spent more time maintaining those connections.

-Legalism is a sin too.

I was a legalist to the extreme. I questioned people’s Christianity if they drank, smoked, or watched rated R movies. I refused to listen to “secular” music, and thought pretty highly of myself because of my list of stuff I didn’t do. I’m so grateful that I grew out of that phase of my life. Jesus saved me from a life of legalism.

Alright, if you had to write 18-year-old you a letter what would you say?

Image Courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net / Felixco Inc.

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