One of the benefits of getting older, and maybe wiser, is that you can say things you were afraid to or knew better not to say when you were younger. And get away with it. And I have been taking advantage of this liberty because I am amazed at the incredibly stupid, but well meaning things people say to me.
We have become a rather insensitive society-knowing that by saying that I have hurt someone's feelings. But we don't communicate well-we talk too much, and don't say anything-some lives becoming a long text message. Says all, knows nothing. Like today's weathermen. In the old days you looked outside, even I could tell when it was cold or raining. Now Doppler Radar is shown-and while this talking head is telling us about tomorrow's weather, shows the weather patterns in the background for the last 24 hours. Does anybody pay attention to the fact you are looking at the past while he is talking about the future?
At funerals, someone will come up and say "I understand how you feel." So I have been taking to responding "good, then maybe you can explain it to me, because I don't." Great way to end a conversation.
Or next time someone asks what they can do to help, tell them. We need bills paid, food, and an operation for Rosa Sharon, she's having a baby. Separates the well wishers from those who just give lip service. And lately when someone says they have been praying for me, I ask, "what have you been praying? I am broke, miserable, my leg hurts, and my kids are driving me nuts. Have you been praying all those things, because if you have God is answering your prayer!" I have learned to ask "how can I pray for you," then pray with that person now! And I mean it!
When working for Mercedes Benz I was usually given the tougher customers,the ones who couldn't get their problems resolved. One guy had bought his first Mercedes Benz, and had a list of 26 things this new E class had wrong with it. And since he was going to ruin us on a CSI score, it was important to see he was handled correctly. My attitude was fix the customer, and I did. I asked qualifying questions, and found out many things. He bought the car from another dealer, and got a good price, he told me so. But in his hurry to get home that night, the salesman did no predelivery time with him. One of the most advanced cars in the world, and this guy was handed the keys, and told to enjoy. He couldn't even turn on the radio-so the car was defective. Of the 26 complaints, 25 were user issues, found in the owners manual. The other was a trim piece he stepped on and broke-non warranty but I replaced it anyway. I went through the manual-at my speed-and reminded him that this should have been done by the salesman-it is part of his job. And when he tried to defend him, remember that good deal he got, I told him point blank he got ripped off. He paid too much. And it was not the service department's job to instruct him on what is in the owner's manual. He is taking time away from fixing cars that are broken, and to keep that in mind when he does have a real problem. he may have to wait because another guy got a good deal, too. Just like him. And I told him that unless he spent time with the car, not just washing and waxing, he would never learn all the things this car does that make it unique. That when he used the car to all its potential, then he had gotten a good deal. Right now he had paid too much, and the salesman had ripped you off. Shoulda bought a Toyota. And rather than hate me, he thanked me. Someone had told him the truth. He read the manual, then had real questions, that we helped him with. And he told us next time he will deal with us on a new car-we were professionals. Not just order takers. But it took telling him the truth. Sad because I had seen other advisors perpetually with the same customers, same complaints, with a non-fixable issue. Teach your customers well.
Aren't glad God doesn't change? That you don't have to change Him? That you can live life to fullness when you listen to Him? New believers-get into the word. Get to church. Get involved. Attend a Bible study. I have seen Christians get burned out, or burned up because they lost touch. Or went to non-believer friends for Christian advice. And soon took it, and backslid. The popular saying "what goes on here, stays here," can be applied to your relationship with God. He doesn't gossip, and tells you not to shop your problem around until you get an answer you like. Open the Bible and find the truth. Then enact it. Jesus says He forgives your sin. Act like it. You are a new creature, act like it. And don't try to understand it. When I do I get more confused, God calls it leaning on your own understanding-and advises against it. Be a wuss like me-go right for the peace that surpasses understanding. You see every time Mickey explains how something works on my bikes to me, I start hearing noises, or feeling vibrations. He knows they are normal, but I don't. But peace requires trust-and you don't trust someone you don't know. So get to know God-it's easy. Besides He wrote the book. "Oh yeah, I read it, " you say. Really-well I know the author! And I can talk to Him whenever I want. And He knows me! Top that!
And He loves questions. Can't say as you'll like His answers, but you will know the truth, and it will set you free. So read the Word, and find out how life really works, or should really work. Then ask questions. You will find life in Christ is an open book test, and the more you read the more you pass.
Cool Mike, I think I understand. Good, now explain it to me. I still don't get it. Maybe that is why we walk by faith. A faith that if you don't have is impossible to please God. For the things seen are temporal, the invisible things are forever. And trust me-I do know how you can feel. Aren't you glad Jesus does too?
Don't you wish you had said that?
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com