Wednesday, July 20, 2005
In the world
Visit me at my new website - anniecrawford.com
It seems rare that I get out and have any kind of meaningful exchange with non-Christians. I do not purposely avoid this, but as a momma of babies, I am home most of the time or at church or meeting Christian friends so our kids can play together, or at the pool where people don't talk too much. I actually try to have 2-3 days a week where I don't drive at all in order to be a good steward of resources (gasoline) and to give my children some structure and quality home time. I love being home and I love making my home a fun, creative, active, warm, welcoming, orderly, peaceful place.
However, I have noticed the few times I am around, talking with, and observing non-Christians in a 'normal' environment, I am actually spurred to be a better Christian! I become lax about my child training or ideologically about standards when I am all around Christians or just at home too long. One dose of the non-Christian life and all the baggage and consequences of life lived without God or seeking His ways and my efforts in my own life and family are redoubled! For example, I often think of all the extra-curricular activities I loved to do in public school. My daughter and I both love to be around people and she just loves to be around bunches of children. I start to think I will send her to public school (I can't justify the expense of private school when I COULD teach her fine myself and there are poor people all over the world who have NO educational option. I would rather sponsor 10 world vision children than pay thousands a year for private school. I am NOT saying it is wrong for anyone to pay for it, I am just saying that for us, when I am well educated and actually love teaching and learning, it is laziness and selfishness on my part to spend so much money.) but then I spend 10 minutes around your average child today and I say "Forget it!".
The problems in marriages, the callous attitudes towards spouses and parents, the disdain toward even their own children, the hatred of homemaking, the boredom with life, depression, anxiety . . . . ahhhhhhhhhhhh! (Now obviously, the non-Christians I mostly rub noses with are other mothers, at the park, at the mall . . . I found that going to a scrapbooking night at the local store was a great eye opener. I truly think all the mother's scrapbooked because they didn't actually like to spend real time with their kids, it was an escape that made them still feel like good moms! One mom commented, "How could Sandy want another child, just when her two were finally in school so she had the day to herself?!" ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! I don't even know where to begin in ministering to these women! I think it is good, though, to feel overwhelmed because my response is to shut up and just show them kindness and also be open with how passionately I love my children and husband through my actions and words; How I see them as an enormous blessing and opportunity and joy that bring deep meaning and purpose to my life, because of the hope and love and righteousness and peace that we have in Christ Jesus.
I am learning (haha) that arguing is largely pointless. Blogging again is challenging me to grow in ways I didn't expect Arguing in the blogsphere is quite common, but I rarely see it being productive or fruitful. So my trip to the mall today reminds me that we are to be in the world though who would want to be of it?! And I am encouraged not to condemn and despise but to show love and compassion and The different Way.
However, I have noticed the few times I am around, talking with, and observing non-Christians in a 'normal' environment, I am actually spurred to be a better Christian! I become lax about my child training or ideologically about standards when I am all around Christians or just at home too long. One dose of the non-Christian life and all the baggage and consequences of life lived without God or seeking His ways and my efforts in my own life and family are redoubled! For example, I often think of all the extra-curricular activities I loved to do in public school. My daughter and I both love to be around people and she just loves to be around bunches of children. I start to think I will send her to public school (I can't justify the expense of private school when I COULD teach her fine myself and there are poor people all over the world who have NO educational option. I would rather sponsor 10 world vision children than pay thousands a year for private school. I am NOT saying it is wrong for anyone to pay for it, I am just saying that for us, when I am well educated and actually love teaching and learning, it is laziness and selfishness on my part to spend so much money.) but then I spend 10 minutes around your average child today and I say "Forget it!".
The problems in marriages, the callous attitudes towards spouses and parents, the disdain toward even their own children, the hatred of homemaking, the boredom with life, depression, anxiety . . . . ahhhhhhhhhhhh! (Now obviously, the non-Christians I mostly rub noses with are other mothers, at the park, at the mall . . . I found that going to a scrapbooking night at the local store was a great eye opener. I truly think all the mother's scrapbooked because they didn't actually like to spend real time with their kids, it was an escape that made them still feel like good moms! One mom commented, "How could Sandy want another child, just when her two were finally in school so she had the day to herself?!" ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!! I don't even know where to begin in ministering to these women! I think it is good, though, to feel overwhelmed because my response is to shut up and just show them kindness and also be open with how passionately I love my children and husband through my actions and words; How I see them as an enormous blessing and opportunity and joy that bring deep meaning and purpose to my life, because of the hope and love and righteousness and peace that we have in Christ Jesus.
I am learning (haha) that arguing is largely pointless. Blogging again is challenging me to grow in ways I didn't expect Arguing in the blogsphere is quite common, but I rarely see it being productive or fruitful. So my trip to the mall today reminds me that we are to be in the world though who would want to be of it?! And I am encouraged not to condemn and despise but to show love and compassion and The different Way.
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home