- The kids were blowing paper wads across the table with red straws. Three or more conversations were being had. Babies goo’d and gaa’d, while little girls giggled, competing against the raucous laughter from adults enjoying each other’s company. When getting together with my in-laws we resemble a company Christmas party, so large is our collective brood. With a cumulative seven children under ten, and nine when everyone is in town, we take up a fairly large table once you add in everyone over age who is in attendance. It makes for a chaotic, yet joyous, and sometimes complicated gathering for mealtimes out in public. Since joining the family I was recruited into their traditional style of saying grace over the meal. Before I even birthed my first, it had become the responsibility of the little ones to say thanks for the food. Once I contributed to the crowd, my own little prayer reciters joined in the group blessing. It’s always a blessing to hear tiny voices in unison giving thanks to God, and also amusing as the volume increases as confidence builds. By the end of the prayer they are practically screaming, and when the finale of “Amen” is announced, it is as loud as if spoken through a megaphone. In restaurants this public prayer display always causes heads to turn our way. It doesn’t hamper those kids one bit.
- Today we went to the store together and my ten year old step-daughter was eager to spend allowance. She had been hoarding it away in a faux leather purse with rainbow hearts, complete with her diary’s padlock on the zipper to keep her treasure of $9 safe from little sister’s prying fingers. I was curious as to what could grab her affections so completely that she would relinquish her fortune. She described a sort of bracelet kit to us, and I initially thought of the braided/knotted friendship bracelets I made as a kid. A year ago I had attempted to teach her how to make them, trying in vain to pass along to the next generation an awesome piece of 80’s culture. Her attention had waned quickly, so I wondered what sparked the renewed interest. As she described the kit I became aware it was a bit different, same overall concept, but unique in its own right. We searched the entire store for this bracelet making thing, but to no avail. When we had about given up hope, that was when we happened upon it by mistake. She had spoken of a friend having it, and as we stood at the display another mother and girl came up behind us stating, “There they are!” I became aware at that moment that these colorful rubber band pieces you could assemble on a plastic loom must be the latest fad in the young people circuit.
- As I looked at the joyful cousins at the dinner table, I thought about those bracelets. In life some things are cool and some things are not. It’s not just when you’re young, but as you’re older too. As an adult you are more equipped to deal with peer pressure and such, but you’re still affected by what others think to some degree. I’ve always been different in my own way, and I suppose I should be used to that. I think even if you embrace being unique there’s still that teenager inside you, that small sliver of personality that desires to fit in, to please others, to be in the majority, and follow the status quo. Whether we admit it or not, out loud or simply to ourselves, we all want to follow the crowd, just a little bit anyway. It makes you feel like you belong, and everyone wants to belong to something. I’ve seen lately that some of my ideals, things that are important to me, may not be the most “popular” thing. I’ve seen people’s strange looks when I talk of homeschooling my children, as if I’m wearing a chicken for a hat. I see the response by some people when they read my blogs or take the time to listen to my passions, and realize I’m one of those “Jesus freaks.” It seems it’s okay to say, “I’m praying for y’all,” or talk about how you love going to church, but when you start using words like “personal relationship” and speak passionately of your dependence on The Lord for all matters in your life, you might be taking it too far. If you don’t want to gossip or take drunken pictures with your friends on a Friday night, then you’re no fun, and you’re really taking the religion thing a little too seriously. Following Jesus fully, putting Him before all else, it’s not really that popular it seems. And I guess that’s alright with me. I don’t follow The Lord cause it’s the latest trend. I do it because it’s the way to live abundantly, and to have everlasting life. I guess sometimes you have to be like those kids, and not worry if people think you’re praying too loud, or making too big of a deal over Christianity. I want to say “Amen” so that everyone hears, and has no doubt where my convictions lie. It’s not cool to everyone, but it is who I am. I don’t mind being an outcast if I’m considered “in” in God’s eyes.
Matthew 10:33
33 But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father who is in Heaven.
That is all 🙂