Reconcile & Harmonize
"Your mind is not your mind. It is God’s gift to you to recognize, to reconcile, to harmonize with His creation." –Anonymous
This is powerful to me because growing up we are told to use our minds and learn as much as we can so we can become successful, yet as we become adults we learn to judge and be judged based on what others think of us and it seems like we lose the gift to think for ourselves and be confident in who we are. Why is it so scary to think for ourselves, be confident in ourselves, be confident in our decisions and be proud of our lives and our stories?
I was at our local meat market today and while I stood and waited for my order to get placed I had to stand there and listen to this man lecture this poor woman behind the counter on the book of Romans. He was trying to persuade her into coming back to his church. The lady taking his order use to teach Sunday school and stopped teaching because she didn’t like the politics of her church. This guy was practically falling over the counter trying to convince this woman that Church is the only thing that will give her the answers to life. He told her that she had to be careful playing around in the war of the religious vs the non-religious.
As I stood there waiting for someone to check me out she happened to be the one to take care of me. She seemed very relieved to get away. I told her that I thought what she did was very courageous. She said, "what do you mean"? I told her that it is hard to think for yourself when you are being controlled by other peoples interpretations of the bible. She smiled soo big at me and then I told her that she should try reading the bible on her own and keep and opened mind while she is doing it.
I don’t know if I should have said anything to her, but I followed my heart and she seemed to respond to it. She had some questions for me so I told her about our website and I told her that I typically like to use my own mind and follow my heart and it seems to lead me toward peace. She assumed I went to some kind of Church and I told her that I went to Saint Mattress of the Springs. She giggled and I wished her the best!
I don’t know if she will check this out or not, but if you do my advice to you is this: Keep your heart and your mind opened and stay true to who you are AND never stop searching. Just trust in yourself because for me that is where God truly is.
Peace
I just wish someone had been brave enough to have enlightened me the way you did with her when I was a lot younger. Your heart led you right Mindy, and you should always follow your heart. Thanks for sharing this story.
Religion is a lot like the quote from joseph campbell.
“Midlife(religion) is when you reach the top of the ladder and find that it was against the wrong wall.”
Too often well-meaning, but misguided, people use techniques of intimidation to scare people into doing what they believe should be done. Very sad. And completely opposite of how Jesus intereacted with folks!
Trying to instill guilt or fear into people never changes their behavior for very long. And, does nothing to win their hearts, which is of utmost importance. Sounds like you brightened up that lady’s day, Mindy!
Thanks Connie. I sure hope I brightened her day. We just seemed to be having a connection and it was really nice.
I loved the quote John T. That totally describes what this woman just went through.
St. Mattress of the Springs. I like that. I often tell folks I go to The Church of the Inner Spring.
Much love
Or the “Squeaking Spring”. Good story Mindy. Thanks!
My wife and I have met many people at Penera bread on
Sorry hit the wrong tap anyway my wife and I go to Panera bread every Sunday and have met people and it has truly been a blessing.We even save a spot for a couple that we have met there it is a blessing just to share about life and enjoy each others company.
Love Dan
Good for you Mindy!
This post reminds me of a time (about twenty-five years ago.) I was working as a secretary in the Chancellor’s office of a large university. I got into this conversation with a young lady who was very troubled because she had recently undergone a divorce. She was Catholic, and had been excommunicated (I suppose for a time until she could do some sort of penance) and was not allowed to partake of the Mass. I was a young Christian (not in age but experience) at the time. Something boiled up in me when she laid out her woes to me. Maybe I was not subtle or gentle enough as I should have been. At the time I did not fully know even what I believe I know today: that God loves all people, and wants them free - particularly free from legalistic, false religion.
I knew Christ was not like what the Roman Catholic Church was painting Him to be. Christ does not excommunicate people for their faults, or their mistakes in life. How can He have died for the sin of the world and hold anything against this poor young woman who had been a victim of her circumstances?
So I told her. “Do not let any man or institution on earth tell you they have the right to “excommunicate” you from the love of God. If you never go to another Mass, you are probably better off, because then you can turn to the Truth of God. Christ died for you, He loves you, cares for you, and He will never excommunicate you.”
Like you, I do not know what effect, if any, my words had on this young woman. But I do know that words spoken will often stay in someone’s memory, and will keep coming to remembrance, as it has happened to me many times. I hope she came to a knowledge of the truth, and that I may have helped.
Mary, Every seed we plant concerning God’s uncondtional love will bear its fruit. I glad you were there for her.