You will find what you look for

I am appreciative of the numerous positive e-mails sent in reference to the complaints about WFTD being too long. It is very encouraging to hear that WFTD has helped some of you in your daily walk. Please do not waste your time worrying about my receiving negative comments. I have been writing WFTD for many, many years now; most of the feedback is positive, however every now and then something that I write seems to hit someone wrong and stirs up a hornet’s nest in their soul. They complain bitterly or argue points endlessly. Although negative feedback is always discouraging to a point, I do not take these comments personally and in reality most come from well-meaning individuals. If it persists I sometimes point out that WFTD is not mandatory reading and if I am really in a weary mood suggest that anyone can unsubscribe in a matter of seconds.

Sadly I have to admit that I too have been critical on occasion of various preachers’ sermons, or the message presented by my Sunday school teacher, or songs sung by soloists and musicians when they miss a note, and/or the choir director’s music selection, and a host of other things. Most of the time I just gripe’ about it to my wife but on rare occasions I have actually said something about whatever it is that I did not like to the offending’ party. I now regret those incidents as these people need encouragement, not discouragement.

I want to be positive but often think negative concerning just about everything. I was thinking about this problem as I drove to church yesterday and I was amazed at how much negativity still persisted even when I was actively thinking about thinking positive and was in route to worship the Lord. For example, I saw a guy who was obviously overweight going for a run, (fast walk), and instead of thinking about how great it is that he is out exercising and doing something positive for his health, I immediately thought, “look at that fat hog”. I chastised myself for thinking negative and no longer had passed him when I saw another jogger with an orange vest. This time it was my wife that commented about how geeky’ he looked wearing that bright orange vest and ridiculed him for looking like an overly cautious safety nut and dressing up like a neon light to jog on a side road. I no longer had chastised her for being negative than I saw a guy that even from 100 feet away in a moving vehicle I could make out that he was wearing a wig. I thought about how he looked like a complete idiot with that stupid looking rug’ on.Just when I think I can beat negativity I am drowning in it.

When I arrived at church one of our members sang a song. He was not a very good singer and it is very distracting to watch him sing. His voice is weak and he could not stay in key and the guy who judges auditions for American idol would have ruthlessly humiliated him to no end for this performance. But he got though the song and I enjoyed it very much. I had been negative all morning; now why do you suppose I did not just ridicule this guy to no end?

Because the Lord opened my eyes. This old man is in church at every opportunity. His wife does all of the cooking for any of our church events and it is dee-licious! They are poor people and he wears the same church’ clothes virtually every Sunday, but they are always well cleaned. He is not in good health and among other things is in an advanced stage of Parkinson’s disease. It will be necessary for him to have one of his feet amputated in the very near future. He is a big man and had to be helped to and from the stage by two strong men as he can barely walk. This was his last day to attend our church. Soon he is going to move to a city where they have better health care than in the Florida Keys. He wanted to sing a farewell song to the church membership that he loves so dearly. He had to sit in a chair and his hands experienced severe tremors and made him move uncontrollably. I enjoyed his song and performance immensely. For once I looked at the positive of what this poor man was doing for his Lord and church and the imperfections of his performance were not even a consideration. I admired his courage to get up in front of the entire congregation and praise the Lord the best he knew how. Before the song was over I was rubbing my eyes and it was not because they itched. Maybe there is hope for me yet

I once read that Mother Teresa was asked how she could live among all of the filth and horror of the lepers and the poorest of the world’s poor for whom she so lovingly cared. She replied that when she looks in their faces she sees the face of Jesus. I can kind of relate when thinking of this poor man in my congregation singing his heart out and giving everything he had to the Lord. His was glorious singing and I am sure the Lord loved every minute of it. It may come natural to look for the negative in people, but it is much more rewarding to find the positive.

Matt. 5:7
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain
mercy.