Yesterday I was in a store when a man came in and started to discuss politics. Now, if you know me, this is not something that i shy away from. But, for some reason I wasn't vocal and I didn't defend what I know is right. I just stood there. I was unsure of the shop's owners views and I really didn't want to offend her in anyway. So I
STOOD there.. Then he started to discuss our last president and his beliefs. I was kind of thrown for a loop because I share the same beliefs and values as our Former President George W Bush. The man stood there and mocked President Bush for talking about how he went to God in prayer about everything and he listened for clear answers. He then started to say that Bush was crazy and there is no God up in Heaven. No Jesus up in the sky and that he is talking to no one. I still said nothing. I was in shock and I believe that my Jaw was hitting the floor when I said goodbye and left the store. I walked out the my car and was hit with an incredible feeling of sadness that this man had just stood there and spoken of Jesus this way. My sweet, loving, caring king and gracious Father. I then started to think about my reaction. Why, why did I just stand there? Why didn't I defend my Father who has sacrificed His one and only Son for my eternal life. A Father who saved me from a life a part from Him?
I am truly a person that stands up for what I believe in. I am not afraid to let people hear me. I teach my children to do the same. God gave me a voice and I use it. But in this instance I just stood silent.
I laid awake last night thinking about this. Praying about it and asking God to please forgive me for not defending Him. I still can't figure out why I stood silent. Maybe I was in shock in the hate that this man was spewing out of his mouth.
I am praying for a clear answer from God as to why I didn't say anything.
I am praying about this situation and I pray that if God ever decides to put me into that situation again I will have the right words at the exact moment.
I will pray for that man that God will soften his hardened heart.
2 comments:
Reminds me of that time in Lancaster at the quilt shop, where you defended your faith so well and I sat there silent and dumbfounded. Not sure why we can't speak up sometimes, it saddens. Maybe he was not supposed to hear it at that moment, maybe his heart was too hard to hear anything at all.
Funny how people can openly mock the Christian Faith, but we are the ones who are ridiculed for standing up for it and what we believe. What a backwards world we live in.
i have done this numerous times and i always walk away feeling like i've failed God. but while we ARE supposed to be ready to give an account of the hope that is in us, God does not need us to defend Him. it's our joy to do so, but those times that i fail, i remember that God can do anything. with or without me. hope that helps. (not to take away the urgency of speaking up, just saying when we fail, He can still speak to that person)
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