|
|
|
Preach and Run:
The Game the Whole Church Family can Play
|
After reading the above article
by my fiancée, I was reminded that sometimes my most eloquent
words are the ones I never say. When Tamara was in the hospital
I didn't stun her with my words of encouragement, or my deep prayers
for her healing. I prayed for her, and tried to encourage her, but
I helped her most by simply being there and caring.
If anything, that is my message in this article: Sometimes it
is better to just listen and care, than to preach and run.
As a columnist I feel it is my duty to write even if I don't have
anything to say. I'm sure that no one has noticed.
This week I had nothing to say, but instead of writing stuff anyway
I listened to the still small voice screaming in my ear, and let
Tamara write a story.
I've noticed through the time of Tamara's illness and through
my own introspection that I tend to serve up heaping stacks of rehash
to hurting people, when the best thing I can say is nothing at all.
A hug may not communicate the depths of my journalistic and Christian
experience, but it seems to be more effective.
It sickens me, and I imagine that that I talk to, when I rehash
the same old stuff -despite the fact that it is often true. I tire
from giving advice that was once real to me. At times I want to
yell, "Slice me up, spread me around and call me Velveeta!"
My intentions have always been pure: to encourage and strengthen
others. But my zeal for always having the answer has caused me to
say things that have hurt and confused.
For example, during Tamara's illness many people told her that
they were praying for her, and that God had said that He was going
to heal her soon and she'd be able to graduate -in May. Two months
later, Tamara was finally out of the hospital and had to withdraw
from school. While God has healed Tamara, the prophesied deadlines
came and went.
Please don't misunderstand me. For those who do care, this article
may sting, for we are all guilty of saying flippant, pithy Christian
clichés. This article was not written for them.
This article was written for those who will continue to give glib
advice, formulas and anecdotes and then run along to their own carefree
life, without taking the time to stop, listen and care.
|
|
|
