What's Wrong With This Picture?

I woke up early this morning, fixed breakfast for my husband, and ate with him...all the while a nagging question kept banging around in my mind.

"Mom, why is it when I fold these dinner napkins the pretty side is always on the wrong side?"

I chuckled a little, and admitted that I have wondered that very thing many, many times! I would buy a certain paper "dinner napkin" and every time I folded it, it seemed wrong! I would think: Surely this isn't right! All this time, I just thought it was ME thinking they were printed wrong. Not until my daughter-in-law asked me about the same thing that had frustrated me for YEARS did I really give it much thought. When one of my family members "questioned" the "dinner napkin" is when I realized I hadn't been wrong in my assessment.

With this nagging question from my "daughter" going through my mind the last few days, I now wonder why someone hasn't done something about getting the print on the right side of the napkin. After all, this "dinner napkin problem" is now affecting someone I love! Surely someone has contacted the "dinner napkin company" and told them they printed the napkins wrong! Even though I get frustrated when I fold them, I've never asked anyone if that was the way they were suppose to be. I've never called the company to see if they printed them wrong. So, they keep printing them, because no one really cares to bother with such a "little matter". After all, aren't we just going to throw them in the trash when we're finished with them? Besides, if I fold them carefully, and place it on the "right side" of the plate, everyone will think "that's the way they're suppose to be"! Breathe deep... Sigh....Ahhhh....I got that one figured out! Relax...sit back....it's really no big deal!

Along with this "no big deal" situation, there are other questions that are banging around in my mind today, and they ARE a BIG DEAL! These questions are now affecting "my family"....those I have been a part of all of my life!

Questions like:

Why is "the Church" allowing the "things of the world" in? Then they go on and make this statement: I thought we were suppose to live a godly, holy, separated life!

In a frustrated voice a young pastor spoke, "I was told this is "the Church" and what it teaches will save me, yet some do not treat it as "the Church"! Is this just "another club"?

Concerned parents poured their hearts out: "My kids are being pulled by those who no longer believe it like they use to! What can we do?"

Frustration, frustration, frustration! The "dinner napkin" just isn't coming out right when I fold it!!!!!

We are living in perilous times, and "the Church" has always been bombarded with questions about our "separated lifestyle". People have always wondered and asked...

Why we do not cut our hair.

Why we do not wear pants.

Why we do not go to the movies.

Why we do not wear make-up.

Why we do not wear jewelry.

Why? Why? Why?

Through the years it never bothered me that they asked those questions! They were not professing to be an Apostolic believer. They had not "repented of their sins" and had them washed away through "baptism in Jesus Name". They had not received the "gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues as the spirit gave them the utterance"! They had not experienced the "power that would change their life". They had a right to QUESTION! It didn't bother me to answer these questions. Some sincerely wanted to know why the Church held a standard of "separation from the world". I loved it when people would ask me about these things, because I knew they were seeing a difference in me and maybe, just maybe they would see God in my life. They might even be drawn to what it was that was making me different!

On the other hand, it does bother me when those "within the Church" start asking questions...not because they haven't heard it taught...because most of them have, but because they are seeing those who "have left the truth of separation" and have caused confusion in the minds of our young. I can deal with the questions from the outsiders, but when those who are suppose to believe it "just like I do" turns from what we've always known is right causing questions in those in "my family" it bothers me!

They might have even taught... that it was "a sin for a woman to cut her hair for it is her glory".

They might have even taught that... a lady should not wear pants....for it is "an abomination in the sight of God".

They might have even taught that... we should "abstain from the things of the world".

They might have even taught... "when you receive the Holy Ghost your wants change" and you will not "crave the things of the world".

They might have even taught... "you will receive POWER to overcome SIN"!

They might have even taught that... "separation from the world" is part of salvation!

They might have even taught that... you can "live in this world", but not be "a part of this world".

Yes...some have taught it, and believed it, but something happened and they started reasoning away the truths they "use to love". Now, they throw questions. Now, they quietly walk among us touching our young, wooing them into the "web of deception" putting questions in their minds, maybe not with words, for they know they would be discovered, but by their lifestyle changes. Yes, it bothers me to know this is taking place as I write today. My heart is heavy because there is a "deception" that is DEADLY to our walk with God and to our Apostolic heritage of truth that has invaded us causing some to return to the things of this world.

So, today I am asking myself some questions....

What am I going to do about it? Am I going to just keep "folding the dinner napkin" thinking nobody notices the obvious?

The Teeter-Totter

When I went to bed last night my mind started wandering. This happens a lot when I'm trying to go to sleep! I focused on what was running through my brain, and was surprised to see what it was! LOL! I know that sounds a little crazy, but so be it. That's what seemed to happen, and this is what it was.

I LOVE to ride the "Teeter-Totter"! Some may call it a "Seesaw", but whatever each person calls it, really doesn't matter for my "point". When I was a little girl, this piece of equipment in the playground is the first place I would run to whenever I had the chance. I know I'm way to OLD and GROWN-UP to go to the park and ride the "Teeter-Totter", but there are still times I feel that same sensation I felt as a child. "Up-down, high-low, up-down, high-low, up-down, high-low"!!! Remember? I loved the thrill of being high in the air, and dropping to the ground...back up in the air, drop to the ground! Oh how my mind races to the times this happened over and over and over again! Occasionally, there would be a bigger kid come along and ask if I wanted to "seesaw", and I would be so excited thinking I was going to get to "ride again". I was in for a rude awakening! They would get on one end, me on the other, and at first it was a wonderful ride, then all of sudden I would be slammed to the ground, because they decided to get off without warning me! There was always someone around who liked to "scare" me, too. They would come along and hold their side DOWN so that I couldn't get off of the "teeter-totter". No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't make it go down....the BIG BULLY! LOL!

All those times I rode the "teeter-totter" I never one time thought about the piece in the middle that BALANCED the "teeter-totter". You know, there had to be a mighty STRONG piece of metal that stayed in one spot to hold up the middle, so that we could all have fun riding "up and down, up and down, up and down". This one piece of structure never wavered one way or the other! Of course, I have no idea how "teeter-totters" are built, but in my imagination I would think this "plank of steel" down in the earth is surrounded by a lot of cement. I don't know, but something down deep in the ground is holding it and making it stable!!!

There are a lot of people in my life. I have been blessed to have them as a stabilizing force. I have been in "the Church" all of my life, and in this "great organization" we are a part of. I can say I've been "blessed beyond measure" to have those around me who "stabilized" my life.

In this "world of mine" there has always been people who have "seen things different" than the way I see them. I don't like, and never have liked the terms "liberal" and "conservative". I am not blind to the fact, nor is my head in the sand when it comes to those who do not "line up" to what I believe. Now, I am not "tootin' my own horn", nor am I condemning those who do differently than me. My whole point is, that I want to be someone who is BALANCED in my walk with God, and my lifestyle. I believe in holiness! I don't think anyone can be "too holy"! Holiness is an attribute of God, and if I can be close to "HIM", and pleasing to "HIM" I know my "outer person" will be PLEASING to Him, also!

I love the "lifestyle" that I live! I love "separation" from the world! I can honestly say there is nothing "out there" that I want or want to do! I'm HAPPY where I'm at! I'm thankful for those who have taught me, and who continue to preach and teach "separation" and who teach and preach it from a loving, humble, heart!

There are those who live stricter than I do, and there are those who live "less strict" than I do. There are those who CAN'T DO ANYTHING, and there are those who DO MOST ANYTHING! My concern is neither place. What they do, or don't do is not my business. I would love it if EVERYONE was on the SAME PAGE, but I guess we would call this life "heaven" if that were to be the case. What I want to be, and what I want others to be, is pleasing to God!

I have sat with those who I thought were more strict in their lifestyle, and looked into their eyes as we talked, and I have found out that if they are doing their best to please GOD and not MEN, they have a beautiful spirit about them. I can feel their love towards me and others who may not see their point of view. They may be on one end of the "teeter-totter", but they won't SLAM the person on the other end to the ground, or leave them high in the air! They are merciful, long-suffering, and care for those who are on the opposite side from them.

I don't know if I'm making sense. I could keep rambling and get deeper and deeper in this maze I'm in, but I KNOW WHAT I'M TRYING TO SAY! I hope you do, too! :)