This past Sunday at church, a parent, whom I have a great amount of respect for, came into our large meeting space with her son in tow. She was a little early, due to the fact that she was helping me lead the Sunday school at both hours. When she and her son entered the room, he had been looking for his wallet. This is how the conversation played out:
Son: "Mom, I want a soda out of the machine. I really wish I could find my wallet."
Mom (opening up her purse): I know dear...oh look...here it is! This was a total "God-thing."
Son: Wow Mom! I thought you already looked in there.
Mom: I did and it wasn't there. (To me): Laura, look how God put this wallet in my purse right on top for me to find. Isn't that something?
Laura: That's really cool.
Ok...so that's more or less the conversation. Do I think God really put the wallet there? No. I didn't see a wallet float through the air nor do I think it magically appeared in her purse. I really don't think that God cares all that much about whether or not the child lost his wallet. He may care, but I don't think it will occupy much of His time. Rather, maybe there are other things that God wants this child to learn through the experience of losing something precious to him.
This goes back to a post I wrote a long time ago about "sunshine theology." I just don't think God cares about parking spots at Walmart, lost wallets, or any other trivial thing in our day to day lives. Then again what does He care about? I know He cares about me, so wouldn't He care about the things I am concerned about?
I tried very hard on Sunday to be gracious to this person and not let the frustrated of what she said get to me. I think I did OK with that, however it still rolls around in my head. This is someone who has had a struggle in her life that I'm quite certain has caused her to redefine her faith and yet, she has this "happy clappy" mentality about God and His relationship with her. That doesn't make any sense to me.
Hum...I'm not sure what to make of all of this. Before this, I even thought about having coffee with her one evening soon and sharing with her some of my struggle (not this blog though) because she might be someone who can relate. But now, I'm not so sure.
Tuesday, November 11, 2008
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3 comments:
Faith is still faith...whether it is happy clappy or deep and wide. Right? I think we need to be careful that we don't expect everyone else's faith to meet up to a certain level/standard. I am quite certain there are people in this world who would view you/our faith as "happy clappy" even though we think it is well defined. I understand the frustration...I really do, but I don't think God is using that to call your attention to it, I think it is being used to discourage and confuse you by "the other guy".
I wonder how God feels about "our" faith....I am sure we all have a looong ways to go...
I guess I was just thinking about people who have experienced real persecution for their faith....people who experienced greater loss than we can even imagine....they might look at us and feel the same way you did on Sunday....??
Comparing our faith to someone else's is never the answer....it serves no purpose that I can tell...
My post wasn't intended to be judgmental nor was it to compare her faith and mine. I was just making an observation that her comment just threw me off a little. Yes, faith is still faith. I am trying hard to not expect everyone else's faith to be a certain level. Everyone's relationship with God is different.
I guess I just wonder if she would be a "safe person" to talk to. That's all.
It's really not that big of a deal. It just made me think.
Love seeing you in the photo..HI
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