My perfectionism has been keeping me from blogging, since I so want to post some new house pictures, but that would require enough time at the computer to like, organize and sort--oh, and clean the house for the pictures and also decorate it more the way I want it in addition to my main task these days, which is a)protecting Heidi's skull and b) protecting her airways.
The videos are coming, but basically our new house is all hardwood and tile. And Heidi is learning how to walk and (hopefully) learning not to touch the dishwasher, oven, or dog dishes. She's not walking, but is pulling herself up on anything and everything and sometimes pulling things down on top of herself as she falls backward. I'm seriously thinking of getting her a helmet. I am trying my darnedest to keep up with her, but anyone who has gone "running" with me know what that looks like.
And husband has been mad busy with a work-school nexus-deadline extravaganza. And the writer's strike is over.
Kendall Bethy has some good photos up; please go there to see Heidi and her cousins in the explosion of cuteness that they all are. Her post reminded me of my recent visit to her place where I met Penelope and learned all about evangelism.
Here's the part to not take too seriously: Kendall and I were at a play area in a mall watching Jaxon run the perimeter as fast as his legs could carry him while Heidi tried to find gross germy things to eat on the floor. A woman next to me noted how cute they were, etc. I'm so used to hearing that I almost drown it out these days. My, this one is talkative, I remember thinking to myself as she peppered me with questions about Heidi's age in addition to various facts about her own children. Wow, these Southerners haven't lost their charms even in a post 9/11 world. I thought it was a little weird that another woman on talky's other side appeared to be eavesdropping or had swimmer's ear or something.
Then she hit me with the tract and asked me to visit her church on Sunday. It was a smart idea: a tract with the church name, photo of the members, and contact info all right there. I'm not sure if that's a new form of tract, or if the traditional ones are just out of print due to the computer boom. I guess it's been that long since I've seen the old school ones. Anyway, she was from something Baptist church and I was pretty sure that Ms. Swimmer's Ear was in some kind of training or praying for my Salvation.
Yes, yes, I'm a Christian. Yes, I go to church--well, my sister goes too. Sorry, you won't be able to bring her to yours. Yup, thank you so much for caring. Mm, hmm. It's important to do this kind of thing.
She was silent for a few moments. Then as a last resort: "Well, it's great that you go to church and all, but you need to be 100% sure that you're going to Heaven. Now, can you tell me that you're 100% absolutely positive that you are going to Heaven?"
What I wish I'd said: "Sweetie, I'm a Calvinist. I'm 200% sure that I'm going to Heaven."
What I actually said: "yes, I am sure." I kind of felt like she wished I'd said no.
But really, I have been thinking a lot about evangelism, or as Doug Wilson recently mentioned in one of his sermons, Friendship Evangelism. He makes the point that while methods such as I mentioned above are good, valid, appropriate ways to evangelize, our evangelism needs to be something flowing out of us, like water from a well. We should be the kind of people who can't answer 10 questions without somehow pointing to God. The tracts should be our language, layered over our thoughts every moment of every day: May the Mind of Christ My Savior, etc.
It's probably good that I didn't bring up the Calvinist thing. I'd probably still be there talking.
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6 comments:
Yeah, an update - and yes, we readers still keep checking, eagerly awaiting the next pictures of sweet Heidi Anne. Your encounter was a reminder to us all, to always be looking for a reason to bring Christ into the conversation as an opportunity to communicate His love for us. Sadly, so often I avoid talking to people - I'd rather stick to my own agenda - reading, sleeping (on planes) rather than begin a conversation. I should rather pray for the Holy Spirit to bring me into an awareness of who He is leading me to and be obedient to that call. Looking forward to the next blog and pictures of an imperfect house.
I try to pray each day before I get out of bed, "Please put someone in my path that needs YOU, LORD...whether for salvation or encouragement (for a person that is already saved)." It is amazing how the Lord puts just the right person in a seat beside me on a plane, or in the produce department. I have a "toll booth ministry" (!) where I always give the love of Christ to the workers taking my money! Evangelism is easy.....one beggar giving bread to another beggar! When we realize what Jesus Christ has done for us, why wouldn't we want others to have it? As Spurgeon said, "When you evangelize, treat every man like they are elect, because, only God knows if they are." Sometimes that just isn't obvious to us, but He can use our words if He wants to! Plant, water, harvest!
Thank God for the little lady who talked to you....in the scheme of things, she is "getting it done", trying to build the Kingdom. This is much more than most folks EVER do! You do your job, God will do His! Love you, Miss Sherri
ps.....we southern ladies do talk! I have never met a stranger!
Loved the Calvinist one-liner. Very funny:)
...wish I had been there...funny funny... do you think I could have converted her? ;)
the high point of the trac was the picture of hell being portrayed as an actual grill. souls will not only be in complete separation from God, but they will be shrimp on the barbie as well.
Mrs J --
I laughed out loud at the Calvinist line...unfortunately, I was in a public wireless zone :-)
I had tons of fun with the Spears in LA a couple weekends ago. Hope I get to hang out with you guys one of these days --
Cheers,
Mike
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