ahaa and by weakness I mean, not just something we "aren't very good at, " but a true weakness. One that is well, hard to change, one that is embarrassing, one that requires reveals an ugly side of you. And with that in mind, listen.
Listen and Let me tell you a story.
It was a lovely evening. A Wednesday, I think.
I was having dinner at the Creamery on 9th street with some of my good friends. We had plopped down with our steaming meals in one of those big, half circle seats. It seemed almost instantly we were busy chatting, laughing and enjoying each others company.
Near the end of this excursion, one of my friends accidentally knocked over an old photograph hanging from the wall behind her.
It fell, and the glass cracked.
I automatically jumped up and sat atop the seats (the back rest) as we waited. (as to avoid getting glass on me and such.)
Some of us giggled apologetically as my friend called the manager over. He told us not to worry about paying for anything and kindly cleaned up the mess. I turned around and there was a lady sitting at the table behind me.She looked at me square in the eyes.
"You are from a wealthy family aren't you?" she said accusingly
"uhm actually, I wouldn't say my family is wealthy..."
I looked at her incredulously, I am defensive of my family and I was not ready for this random stranger to point that accusatory finger at us.
So I simply asked her "why?"
"Because
You are acting so entitled."
..............................................................................................................what?
The little lady with a book in her hand had meant every word.
I slumped out of there, her words playing on my mind. Was I acting entitled? Was I acting like It was my right to be there, my right to have food, to have friends, that it wasn't partially my fault the picture had fallen, that I was entitled to sit on that median above the rest?
Alissa Mitchell. The one who tries so hard to leave a good impression. The one who is pretty comfortable with who she is and where she is going. The one who tries to lift.
Suddenly all of it was stripped away and I was left with only questions
Who did people see in me? Am I acting entitled in any way? DO I feel entitled?
Realization:
I am a human and I am entitled to absolutely nothing. Not even a body. I am not entitled to a family to friends. I am not even entitled to receiving food or water or air. People don't owe me anything. And God owes me nothing.
I am but a soul who has been given life through God. Given a body. Given an education. Given experience. Given all substance necessary for survival.
Shouldn't I be grateful to a whole new level now?
What was I doing for this Older lady to see me as a rich kid, who felt entitled to the world?
What can I change, so absolute strangers are drawn closer to Christ?
So here is the question I pose to you.
What do others see in you?
DO they see you as one who laughs at life, who complains, who isn't reliable, who gossips, who acts entitled, who doesn't follow the commandments, who does the bare minimum or any other negative trait?
Is their truth in their assumptions?
And now....
GO FIX IT!
At least, that's what I am trying to do :)
