Weekend-spiration

I can find myself all over this cartoon by Gary Larson! I'm the geek in the skirt (without the beard!) who misunderstood the directions - again! I'm also the appalled woman standing next to the geek with her mouth hanging open at the audacity of the man to show up at a formal event dressed so shamefully! I'm even Jacob the Stutterer, who's so stinkin' excited to get out the news that he double clutches every other word.

This cartoon just delights the tar out of me!

As I look at it, though, the actions of the people with the branches aren't so unlike the actions of the guy in the skirt - well ... except for the skirt and the belly hanging out over it. The people that gathered on that amazing day when Jesus came back to Jerusalem were cheering him on.  It was an ancient parade, for pity's sake.  I liken it to our reaction to a rock star or even the enthusiasm of a sports event.  Seriously, when was the last time you cheered at a sports event?  (Mavs won!  I was hollering!) Next question: when was the last time you cheered at church?

Was that a cricket?

I'm not pointing fingers! On the contrary, I wish I was bold enough to act on the excitement I feel sometimes during worship, but my church just isn't big enough to cover my embarrassment if I started whooping. I'd rather just sit in the back and be as inconspicuous as possible. Shame on me!

I'm not sure the guy in the picture has the wrong idea at all!

What are your thoughts? Are you inhibited when you worship corporately or would such emotion make you uncomfortable?

Character Flaw: Anxiety Attacking

I am not a worry wart. No really. I grew up with a worrier and, although at times I feel it creeping up on me, I avoid worry and all the stress it entails. Do I sound like I'm in denial?


Seriously, I have learned to go soundly to sleep even when my son is out and about. I can set aside my imaginary tragedies when my girls are spending the night somewhere. I have even been known to cast off the frustrations of my sweet hubby about his various jobs - well, sometimes!

I realized, though, that this is just training. The more I practice peace through the midst of daily days, the better I will live in peace when something really does happen. (But I'm not asking for an exam at this point, Lord!)

My goofy boy

I had a situation that put me to the test a couple of years ago. In the middle of hosting a scrap-booking retreat, I got a call from my sweet hubby. A Sunday morning call, during church hours when his plate was always totally full, alerted me that something was up.

My son was on a mission trip to Honduras, with a week there and a week to go. All my hubby had to say was "I got an email from the mission people" and I burst into tears. So much for training!


It ended up okay. (Isn't it always easier to look back on worry issues than to live through them?) Even though there had been a military coup, the kids had all gotten back safely, albeit early, but the whole event and the pins and needles that I sat on for 3 days waiting to hear from my boy were eye-opening and revealed a flaw in my character that I really thought I had under control. The truth slapped me up side the head; I am a worry wart! I don't practice it daily, but I don't prepare to avoid it as well as I should.

I don't look like a worry wart, but it's what goes on inside that truly reveals the character.  That is the place where I need to "take every thought captive" (2 Corinthians 10:5) and choose not to entertain even the imaginings of tragedy. Meanwhile, I work on the daily practice and pray for the safety and health of my kids and sweet hubby, then set them back in my Father's hands where they belong.

I don't pretend anymore that I'm not a worrier. That's a lack of faith that even the disciples experienced, but I will persevere with my training and put my hope in Him that whenever a peace-requiring situation does arise, I will have what I need to give Him honor through it.

Are you a closet worry wart, too?  Don't let me think I'm the only one!  What would you tell this worry wart?