"But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart." ...Luke 2:19
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Disclaimer: I'm using a huge topic in a simple blog post to make one tiny (yet important) point. That's probably unwise, but you'll forgive me, right? 😉
If you visited our local Denny's on Saturday morning, maybe you spied Tom and me. We'd not dined there in oh, perhaps 10 years and I told Tom, "Now surely, Denny's coffee can't be horrible. They've got to compete with Tim's, Dunkin's and Starbucks."
Yet the coffee? Blech. Phooey. Not disgusting (like here), but disappointing. Our breakfast, though, tasted awesome.
Anyway, had we not visited Denny's in a decade in protest? To prove our singular allegiance to local establishments? Nah. We just hadn't gone, that's all. Also, the parking lot's always packed and we prefer not to wait in lines.
But hey, I have some friends (and others) who'd rather chew couch pillows than even step into a Denny's.
Why? Denny's (and Walmart, Amazon, etc.), to them represents Corporate America. You know, the devil. And fat wealthy guys 'at the top' smoking cigars while smirking, counting stacks of money on gold-trimmed desks. And this--
"Corporate--
---of, relating to, or being the large corporations of a country or region,
- the latest trend in corporate America,
having qualities (such as commercialism or lack of originality) associated with large corporations or attributed to their influence or control.
And hey! If all things corporate make you ill, that's cool. I get it. Really I do.
But what I also get? My neighbors work at Dennys. Their kids sit at dining room tables, dressed in clothing and eating food Denny's provided via Mom's paycheck.
And nearby grandparents who can never retire work at Walgreens or Walmart. And their middle-aged kids are employed by Amazon. United Health. CVS.
And their 20-something kids will attend college in September because of money earned at Burger King. Kroger. Barnes and Noble. Costco.
My point? Even in today's wild, stressed-out world, most things still have 2 sides. All people have a story and a need to use one (or more) ways to survive.
Yet oh, Life moves so fast now, but when we're slow to speak and slow to become angry? I believe our minds and hearts can change. When we pause to hear what God's saying rather than the loudest voice (or crowd), we might gain a whole other, calmer perspective.
And if we're quick to listen, maybe we'll glimpse a new color-filled, different world out there, one we never even knew existed--
--you know, with tons of folks having more in common with us than we dreamed possible.
We may not agree with everyone, but at the very least, we can attempt to understand them. I believe it's a part of learning to love others as God commands us.
"If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all." ... Romans 12:18
Interested in seeing how many people are employed by the largest companies? Go here.
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In August, an issue of Victoria magazine arrived in my mailbox from my friend, Wilma. Right out of the blue! Such an awesome surprise on a summer day threatening to do me in.
I'd not seen Victoria magazine in probably 5 years and wow, like I said, it came at a perfect time. What a delight!
May we all, instead of complaining that folks nowadays no longer do these kindnesses--instead--send out surprises, ourselves, to others.
We might just start a who-knows-what-you'll-discover-inside-your-mailbox? movement, even in 2018... and wouldn't that be lovely?
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And just because it's beautiful and a wonderful way to be for others so we can then lead them to the best place to land--
A Soft Place to Land. Sung by Kathleen Edwards.
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3 comments:
Another thought provoking post Debra. You, as usual give me a lot to think about. I think that the findings surprises in our mailbox movement might just catch on! I try to do that myself once in a while, but not nearly as often as I should. Thanks for the reminder.
Blessings, Betsy
I do love getting and giving a surprise in the mail, like that Victoria magazine you received that lifted your spirits. I have 3 pen pals who I met here in blogland and each note or postcard I receive is great fun.
Lately, my husband and I have been trying to encourage each other to stop being judgmental. It's embarrassing to admit that it creeps into our thoughts and words many times every day. When I was young, my family attended a church that was very black and white in its beliefs. Now that I'm older, I find it interesting how lovely gray can be. Although it's not easy, I believe it IS possible for us to grow in grace and to extend love (especially to those who are different from us). One thing I know for sure, I cannot be loving in my own power, I need help from above.
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