My parents used to make fun of an old coffee commercial where the over
bearing, well meaning mother helped her newly wed daughter. Not allowing the
daughter any chances to help herself, the younger girl blurted out “Mother
please, I’d rather do it myself!” And of course the hurt mother went into a
tailspin, and the daughter felt bad, but after consuming massive amounts of
caffeine everything was well again. Feelings healed, coffee had saved the day.
And we see the mother letting her daughter serve her coffee....now isn’t that
special? And we would laugh, and the tagline of “Mother please, I’d rather do
it myself” was applied to many situations in gest. But we are often guilty of
acting like the interfering mother at times, when it is easier for us to do it
rather than wait for someone else. Let someone else deal with their newness,
forgetting we were all new at everything once, or twice. And if our pride would
let us know just how the daughter felt, wishing we could just tell off the well
meaning, but interfering other person. Of course we would never over
react....
Now I have trouble remembering the coffee brand, but not the commercial.
Great commercials with great tag lines are like that. I honestly get so tired
of hearing “Mikey likes it,” ha ha very funny. For the millionth time. Or how
dangerous motorcycles are and your telling me about someone being killed or
maimed on one. How would you feel if I treated your cancer with so little
compassion? Another pet peeve that begins to darken my mailbox this time of
year is the letter from someone who just has to tell me how great their kids and
life are. No problems, and the letter goes on for pages, with a Happy Holiday
at the end, which I rarely get to, especially if I know the person. Truth is
real and exciting enough without your fictional portrayal of your life. But one
morning after church I scored one for our side, and victory, no matter how small
is still a win.
Leaving church with our motorcycle jackets on, a man came up and said he
rode also, and has a Triumph too. Could he ride with me sometime? Before I
could answer, he is wife walked up, and he introduced her, and my question
changed her whole attitude. “Do you ride too?” I asked. And the tirade began
of how she was in the medical field, and all the carnage she saw. And how she
would never ride, and of that somehow we were lesser because we did. Wrong
answer, so I countered her, although it was and is unfair to do battle with an
unarmed person. “Really, I’m also in the medical field,” and her face
brightened, “I’m, a patient.” And as her demeanor changed, obviously humor was
not part of her make up, I continued, “but I am glad to meet you, because I have
a medical question,” still reeling her in. “In the past two months I have had
four friends die in their sleep, is it OK for me to go to sleep tonight?” I’m
not sure of the answer as she grabbed her motorcycle riding husband and split on
us, my first thought being what lousy taste in women he has, and the second, I
was so glad I didn’t have to go home with her. Maybe all she needed was another
latte....but my point was made. And Mikey liked it!
There are many gray areas in the Bible, where we must make a decision as to
what or what not to do. But in all cases we are to show love. After my open
heart surgery I was greeted by a well meaning brother, again at church, who
wanted me to meet his new friend, who went on to tell me how I needed to get out
and witness more, and do more things for God. I then told him I had just spent
54 days in Albuquerque, 30 in the hospital and 20 in Cardiac Critical Care, and
should be dead, but God saved my life and I made medical history. He walked
away, hey I thought it was a good testimony, and giving glory to God. He meant
well, as did the wife with the medical career, they only lacked one thing that
was evident, they were more zealous than concerned for others. And we all get
like that, but need to be led by the spirit, rather than trying to impress or
win an argument. If only we took the time to listen, our response may be much
different, and I will admit sometimes I just want to be left alone. Back when
my hair was shoulder length and had a full beard, looked like the wolfman, a
well meaning man came up to me and asked me “have you heard about Jesus?” He
was trying to witness to me, and when I answered “yes, for many years now,” was
stunned. He had no idea I was saved, his church clothes warned me from across
the lot. If he had just said “hello” and talked with me it would have been a
better conversation, yet he was doing what he was told to do. His heart and his
mind wasn’t in it, and soon people like that lose heart. Maybe just try being
yourself, a full time job with overtime for me, and be nice to others. Visit
with them, listening. I tire of hearing “long after they forget your words they
will remember your actions,” it is like “Brother please, I’d rather let Jesus
do it,” than do it myself. And today you will be on both sides of the
conversation....
When it comes to helmet laws we insist “let those who ride decide.” Then
argue over what brand of bike we ride. Paper or plastic, or bring your own now
that they are 10 cents each in California? Do you want fries with that? No
it’s a salad. Chargers fan? No I like football. And of course we all know
our own church is the best. Can we have a little more concern for each other?
Jesus showed compassion to the woman at the well, the thief on the cross, and to
Martha and Mary when they chided him for being late and their brother Lazarus
died. But he showed love in every instance, be led by the spirit rather than
our own selfish emotions. When we are told to love our brother as our self, do
we love him enough to love us too? To listen, then answer. To not argue over
trivial things just to get our way or prove a point? Do we remember it was
Jesus who changed us, not an argument we gave into? Have you become more like a
church or denomination or more like Jesus? God asked me once why he doesn’t
allow us to change people to be like us. I had never thought about it, but his
answer was spot on, so they become more like me and not you. Believe it or not
I have many flaws and scars, some of which don’t show. The scars on Jesus show
his love, and when it comes to salvation, especially via the cross, I am glad
that I didn’t do it myself. I couldn’t and wouldn’t and probably wouldn’t for
you. But Jesus did and will......and wants a chance to prove it to you. Via
his love. Now that is a witness anyone can get along with, love.
So it is OK to ask Jesus for help, but good advice only works when taken.
Whether in church, at a bike dealer, or riding, we all need Jesus. Even those
crusty saints who know it all. Especially those. Go spread the gospel today by
listening and loving on someone. Use words if needed. You may be the gospel in
action they need. Jesus saves souls, and fortunately us from each other. And
Mikey likes that....
love with compassion,
Mike
matthew25biker.blogspot.com