The Post That Almost Wasn't

I'm writing this post three days late, not because I've been so busy, but because I really haven't wanted to write this.  Last Friday I made some realizations about myself, and I wasn't very happy about them.  A lot has happened since then, so first I'll give you all some of the highlights.

Saturday I had seafood.  It was excellent.  (at $20 a plate it had better be) Seriously, though, it was really good.  I had scallops (on recommendation of our waiter) and they were fantastic.

Sunday was our last prayer and praise time. We all picked our favorite songs, and we spoke about some of the things God has done in our lives, or taught us, in the time we've had this summer.  I chose "Amazing Grace," and spoke of how I've really spent more time in the Word, and in just taking time out of my day/week to talk with God, and how I want to continue that when I get back home.

Monday was good and bad.  At work I went through interviews looking for quotes to use in the final video I am working on this summer, and I spent about six hours doing that.  Then my computer was unplugged accidentally and it turns out I hadn't saved once all day.  So when I go tomorrow morning I will be starting in the exact same spot I started this morning.

That said this evening was a great success.  We had all of the girls over, and cooked for them.  Peter made a salad, I made chili and cake, and Aaron played piano and got flowers for all of the girls.  After the meal we all watched "The Princess Bride," and then the girls left for their own places.  Everyone seemed to have a really good time.  (and the chili was a success!)

Now that you've been all filled in on my activities I'll tell you about Friday.

We went out to the Boston Commons Friday to share, and the group I was with found quite the area.  It is apparently were pot is sold.  We shared with some kids.  Of the four we talked to first two had children, and three had been in jail.  One of the staff people had some good talks with them, and was able to make some points and really relate to them, and all the while there was this feeling building up inside of me.

Next we talked to a man who was a traveling poet in the Druidic tradition.  He also seemed to have pot (and women) on the mind.  By the time I was done talking to him the first kids we talked to were ten feet away from us smoking pot, and it was about all I could take.  I was so sick of everything going on around me that I had to talk a walk to any other part of the park.

After walking for a little while and thinking about how awful all of those people were it occurred to me that I am a sinner the same as them.  I tried to get rid of this thought by justifying that I was a sinner same as them, but I was still better because I realized my sin, and repented of it.

But the problem was still there.  It was me feeling more righteous than them.  I had taken on the role of a modern day pharisee.  We were there looking for exactly the people we found.  The people who most needed to hear about God's love and grace.  Then when we found them I couldn't even stand to be around them.  After praying for about 30 minutes I finally made my way back.

I didn't talk to any of them after that, we left about 10 minutes after I got back, and I don't really have any great resolution to this story other than I realized what I was doing, and how I was judging.  I would ask that you all pray that God would give me the humbleness to not judge others (don't get me wrong, this is not me saying that anyone can do anything, and there is no absolute right or wrong, all I'm saying is that I am in no position to judge anyone, when I am a sinner just like them.)  So, until next time,
God Bless.