confusion

There are many things in life that I find to be quite confusing. Following are some examples of real head-scratchers:

• Shoes at the side of the road. Now, while I don't condone littering, I can understand the presence of fast food trash and cigarette butts--but I just don't get shoes. They aren't the kind of thing one would just toss out the car window (and if they are, I don't want to know about it). And the theory that someone would put them on top of the car or onto the bumper in order to open the car door, then forget about them and drive off just does not account for the many I have seen. Just this morning there was a pair of men's dress shoes at the roadside. Why?


• The current use of the electoral vote. This made sense when it was established, but it is no longer necessary. Why does it still exist?


• Why do weeds thrive where garden plants struggle? Now, this one has lots of scientific data to support it and I would just as soon not hear all that logic regurgitated in my direction. On a cognitive level I understand. This conundrum is purely emotional. I just need to ask a rhetorical, "why?"


• Do noseeums and stink bugs really serve a useful purpose in our ecology? Or are they just God's little joke on humanity?


• Cockroaches, too, for that matter.


• Why are shampoos wasted on children? There is so much relaxation and pleasure to be found in having someone else wash your hair. It seems to be wasted on people who are struggling to avoid the entire cleanliness process. By the time they are old enough to appreciate the feeling of a scalp massage, they also appreciate cleanliness and are therefore old enough to be trusted to bathe without any assistance. I think I'll make an appointment for a hair trim just so I can get the shampoo that comes with it.

I am certain there are many more things that confuse me. I'll let you know about those items later.

preaching

Well, the e-mails have finally gotten to me. I frequently put articles in the newsletter at work--and generally they pertain to the liturgical season. However, this month I am printing one that is just cathartic for me. I firmly believe that if you never state that something is bothering you, you are giving the message that you approve. I want people to know I don't approve. I have received more than enough (well, one is more than enough) messages that are anti-muslim, anti-semitic, racially prejudiced, bigoted, anti-democrats, anti-government, anti-women, anti-Obama, etc.

So, here is the mini-sermon I am printing in the newsletter this month:

HOW DO OTHERS SEE YOU?
As adults we put effort into personal appearance, tailoring our clothing and grooming to meet the occasion. We wouldn’t normally wear formal evening clothes to work or torn blue jeans to the opera. We are aware of how we look to others and take care to exude the persona we wish others to perceive.

For the most part we do the same with our behavior. As children mature we teach them appropriate behavior for specific occasions. Through trial and error they learn to be quiet in church or at a movie, that it’s okay to be boisterous on the playground but not in the classroom, and that some foods require the use of utensils other than those provided by God. They learn to address others in a polite and courteous manner and to show respect in their words and actions.

But do we pay that much attention to our communication when we are not face-to-face? The age of technology in which we live allows us to communicate with more people at a faster rate than ever before in history. Instead of penning letters to loved ones, we can type out a missive and send it to the masses. We can also pass along jokes, photographs, and links to web pages.

As Christians it is important for us to remember that not only are we judged by what we do and say, but that the Church is judged, as well. When we forward material sent by others, do we stop to think how it reflects on us or on that which we represent? It is so easy to read the superficial words and laugh, but sometimes we need to consider the deeper consequences of what we are seeing before he hit the forward button.

We should consider whether the joke we are passing on is something that could be hurtful to others. Is the superficial laugh wrapped around a concept that is harmful to someone? Is the underlying message one of racial prejudice? Is it promoting abusive behavior? Is it undermining the unity of our nation? And is the message something that we really want others to associate with us? Maybe we should consider hitting the delete button when forwarded dubious messages and instead sending a heart-felt and hand-written (or at least self-typed) letter to keep in touch with those we love.

Wouldn’t we prefer that the message we send be one that proclaims us to be courteous, respectful, and interested in the welfare of others? How better to proclaim to the world that we are of Christ and striving to be Christ-like?