I've been distracted with family health problems. Glad to be back :)
Just wanted to share some of my wandering thoughts and ideas regarding dismissive attitudes. Being dismissed can hurt. Yes, sometimes it is just our pride that is hurt, but sometimes it can be our spirits that get hurt.
How many times have we said to someone or been told by someone that God wouldn't ... ?
- God wouldn't use fiction books to teach truth...
- God wouldn't use exercise to minister to you...
- God wouldn't use a fool to effect change...
- God wouldn't __________ (fill in the blank with another dismissive phrase)
I have been blessed and learned many truths through reading fiction. I've learned a lot about grace through reading Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I've learned compassion and forgiveness from reading Color the Sidewalk For Me by Brandilyn Collins. I have learned a great many wonderful things from reading fiction.
In exercise, I've had some wonderful prayer time and realized truths about myself about giving up or believing that I can do this side-raise through Christ who gives me strength. I've also had to exercise self-discipline through physical exercise.
I have even been the fool who God has used in small circumstances and seen Him use others I thought were fools yet they led me to a truth.
I hope I remember this the next time I'm tempted to be dismissive of someone's shared ideas or thoughts.
Living grace-dependent,
Cyndie (spelling courtesy of my niece :) )
