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Day 59, The Decay of Manners, Can be an Unexpected Blessing


**Caution: This may be disturbing for people of high standards of manners***
In the military, we have something called, "Hail and Farewells". It is a semi-formal affair where the upper level leaders of a unit come together to 'Hail' all the new guys to the unit, and 'Farewell' all the guys who will be departing. A meal, short speeches, a couple of jokes and you leave. A 'SEMI-FORMAL' event,...so you must be on your 'A-Game' in the Manners department.

Now for some reason this past week, at one of ours, I had eaten something during the day...that had not completely settled in my stomach. The entire night was a constant uncomfortable bloating sensation that thought would never cease. I was looking forward to great expectations to leave the speeches, and get in the car and get home. As the night wrapped up, we got in the car,...along with some people who had hopped in for the ride for a brief 12 minute ride home.

YET, thinking I could remain vigil for the entire trip, the comforts of home surrounded me as I sat in the Explorer and I completely forgot that we had guest. Needless to say, I leaned to the left, to ease my stomach problem...not realizing the eruption that would occur. Jessica immediately responds with , "JOHN!"...I was taken back myself,...rolling down the window etc.

Although, the moment was embarrassing let me proceed with a bizarre thought. Our guest have long since been our neighbors and friends, and I think at times WE, as individuals, like to keep our dignity, which may lead to a bizarre piety or pompousness. After this awkward moment, our friends began to laugh and the small talk was over,...in 12 minutes we had one of the greatest conversations that may have not had the greatest 'topic', but it did have a fine transparency that I believe can not be matched.

Bottomline: Be Careful about guarding your intimate details and building walls that will not allow people to see that you are human. I am not advocating an age of decadence, but a few moments where people can see you 'AS YOU ARE'. This vulnerability often couples with intimacy. Just think, the people you love the most,...often have seen you at your worst and still love YOU. I know Christ has seen me far worse than anyone, and yet he still extends his grace to a terrible sinner like me.

Comments

  1. Tim WixonJanuary 30, 2010 at 4:41 PM

    John
    What can a man say to that besides I feel where you are coming from. As for me, you all know how I am. I don't hide too awful much. Then you question that you should ask yourself is this: "Should I let my wife and family meet this guy? And defiantly not children under the age of 15. I find truthfulness and "What you see is what you get" is the standard rule. It has seemed to serve me well so far. You can't let the world determine who you are or Who you are not. I would not suggest doing that during a sermon but I would assume that happened to Jesus a time or two. Think about it, it was constantly surrounded by people or even just his disciples. Not that passing gas is Godly, but it seems to happen to the best of us.

    ReplyDelete
  2. J. E. StewartJanuary 30, 2010 at 10:18 PM

    Nice but I have never had the gas problem so I guess I am out of this one.

    ReplyDelete

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