Savoir Faire isn't Everywhere, But It Could Be!

You know how you hear some people say after a young person has committed suicide that it's "just so sad," or that "somehow this could have been prevented." Well, both of those phrases are true. Tonight I overheard some pretty nasty comments from some young people in which case I don't think they knew that I was listening, or perhaps they, in reality, don't care. It stirred me to write words on a well-known social networking website because it took me back to the good ole days of high school. The place where mentality isn't fully developed. The place where I was uncomfortable in my own skin. The place I felt despised, rejected, and lonely. The place I always hated. 

THESE WORDS CAME IN ABOUT A MINUTE

Sinews of the underdog
They are torn for naught
Flesh and blood they are
But hounded eternally
Never quite enough
Mostly born to rough
Hidden in their costly shame
Not to make a name of fame
Lights go out
There be no doubt
Friends they have not became.

 It's painful to have the desire to be wanted when you feel like you aren't. 

There is no room...at their table, in their life...unless you are the topic of their conversation. 

I wonder if they know the hurt they cause. I wonder if they know Jesus' blood was also spilled for you. I wonder if they know that's not loving their neighbor. I wonder if they know they don't have the love of God if they hate their Christian brother or sister. I wonder if they know your tears are in God's hand as he counts them one by one. I wonder if they think they will get away with it...making appeal to each other that you are less because you are not like them. It's your hair, your style, your eyes, your laugh, your dance, your anything that makes them appear better than.

It isn't you, friend. This heart on display is never really about you. This display is what is in them. It came out. Leaked. I fear for them. I pray for them that though they hurt because they themselves hurt, God will have mercy on them. I plead that you will remain strong in your faith. There is power in the blood! More power in the Spirit who raised the broken-for-you, dead body of Jesus Christ from the grave. Dunamis. You are more than a conqueror of those who've slain your heart. He overcame for you, beloved. You are better than a slave to fear, and a slave to sin. You are a friend, even a coheir to the Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Eternal Father, Prince of Peace, The Way, The Truth, The Life, the One who is Faithful and True- that is who you are. Your TRUE identity. 

Take my hand and let me help you up. Stand tall. Look at your face in the mirror. Say this: "It is finished. God searches my heart and finds me worthy because he looks on me through the shed blood of his son. I am full of His mercy and a patchwork of His grace. I am a work in progress. They have no authority over me. Their words are the words of my enemy who comes to kill, steal, and destroy. But I have the Great I AM in me. And He is greater. This is not about me. This is not about them. This is a spiritual battle and can only be overcome by forgiveness, prayer, and grace. I may be poured out like a drink offering, but it is not for nothing. My life counts because He has counted me. I have a purpose, God has a plan. The Gates of Hell will not prevail. It is finished."  

I have a heart for underdogs. They are my purpose. They are in God's plan. There is never a time more appropriate than now to help them up and say they are worth your time. If God's grace is sufficient for me, then it would be insufficient for me not to extend it to them.

The Great Cookie Exchange

Well, I hope you enjoy this. 

One chilly afternoon, a famous and brilliant baker decided he wanted to make a recipe for a cookie like none other. What's better to warm you up than a gooey, fresh-from-the-oven treat on a day like that?

The baker was quite talented. He could make many recipes with very few ingredients. It seemed as if he always had everything necessary to create mouthwatering goodies that stirred hunger in the bellies of his customers. This particularly cold day, the famous baker opened his pantry to retrieve the necessary items. He set everything out which was needed for giving this recipe fresh characteristics, sparing no expense for the highest quality. All the preparation was complete, and now it was time to put the yummy treat in the oven. The entire bakery was filled with the most comforting aroma.

People from outside could tell that something wonderful was being made. Block by block, it was said that the air surrounding the bakery was like breathing in everything you needed to live- and then some! There was much excitement as the patrons waited. Each customer had their imaginations bursting with ideas of all this new recipe would be. From it's appearance to it's flavor, right down to the finest detail, assumptions were made.

The time had finally come! Two of the baker's assistants placed oven mitts on their hands, and clapped a muffled clap, and with wide grins removed the delectable dessert from the oven. They both breathed in deeply knowing how important it was to be careful with the baker's perfected public offering.

Some of the customers snubbed the cookie on display because it didn't appear to be the kind they thought it was. You see, the patrons expected the cookie to have glistening chocolate chips that dotted the outside. Not only that, but this cookie was chewy. It was customary to eat crispy cookies. Those customers didn't like it. To them, it was unquestionably broken, and unfit to consume.

At first glance, the cookie was plain and simple, but the aroma drew customers from far, far away. This one held its warmth, and it surprised those who wondered how it would taste. When asked why, the customers who agreed that it was special said it was because there was more in the first bite than what could be known just from it's outer appearance. What an unexpected, happy surprise!

Now, the baker had planned the recipe for this cookie for quite some time, and waited for just the right time to share it with his loyal customers, including anyone who would be willing to take a taste. He didn't allow the opinions of some of the patrons to change his mind. Even though this cookie was different, the baker wanted to give everyone the opportunity to see it, smell it, and best of all... taste it! After all, loving-kindness was what brought the baker such high regard.

As word spread about this new cookie many became curious. Eventually the bakery had customers from all over the world partaking in what became known as culinary history.