Tonight, as I was working, things were a bit slow so I picked up some summer reading I’ve been doing. I’m reading several books, it seems, but the two I had with me were Bird by Bird by Ann Lemott and William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. Golding’s work is summer reading for my honors seniors and I haven’t read it since high school–and I may not have even finished it then. On the other hand, reading Bird by Bird is purely a choice. An interest. And enjoyable. So enjoyable in fact, that I often find myself laughing out loud at Lemott’s comments. Her topic is simple: how to write good pieces. Her method is even simple, yet it transcends my meager efforts to make people laugh at the oddities of life.
Back to my story: As I was reading on the good ol’ Mister Softee truck, tonight, I chuckled out loud quite a few times at Lemott’s verbiage. And I wondered if my coworker thought me crazy or if she really secretly wished she could be reading something that brings so much joy–if she wanted to know what I was reading. I kept the reading to myself and didn’t share it, but that was a hard battle to fight, since I so often want to share things that bring a smile to my heart. She wouldn’t have understood, anyway; she probably has no interest in writing. Besides, she’s already missed out on the context of the book.
And I have to admit that I get jealous of people who are doing things–good, wholesome things–that they enjoy and that bring them happiness. Not jealous in a I’m-going-to-cut-off-your-fingers-so-you-can-never-play-that-piano-again-Melinda kind of way. What I mean is that I …envy’s not the word… admire a person who finds joy and contentment in doing things–even things that aren’t all that glitzy. I must admit that some things on my bucket list come from this same sort of situation. I dream to do some things because it sounded so cool when someone told me that they had done it or I see people doing things and I know they take great joy in these activities; I want to experience that same joy.
I say all of that not to bore you… and I’m sorry if I have done so. Of course, you probably already know that this story is going to tie somehow into something Bible-thumpin’, right? You’re right.
I totally want to live a life that makes people secretly wish they could be living a live that brings so much joy. And, more than that, I want to live a life that makes people secretly wish they could love others the way I do Christ does, through me. I want to live a life that makes people secretly wish they had the peace, assurance, confidence, humility, wisdom, selflessness that I do by God’s grace.
How do I tell them about the source of these personality traits–at least when they’re actually shining through? I could be like the guy who was standing on the corner on my way to work, today. He had a sign that read something like, “Turn to Jesus and you will be saved from hell!”
Um, NO!
I choose a more stealth approach. Befriend people. Don’t push “religion” in their face, but be genuinely interested in their lives (that’s part of love, right?), listen to their stories (another sign of love?), laugh with them (who doesn’t love to laugh?), and support them when they need it (totally loving!). Very soon people see that I am different and many (definitely not all) people appreciate these positive/loving actions and sometimes I get the opportunity to reveal the One source of anything that can be deemed good about me: Christ. Because He first loved me. He was first interested in my life. He listens to me. He laughs with me (okay, maybe sometimes I’m laughing and He’s giving me the teacher look). And he supports me unendedly. It’s so cool.
And it’s no secret.
So, go, my friends. Laugh out loud and make everyone want to know how the heck you have such joy!