Always Stumbling

So, I wake up and roll out of bed, I stumble.  I try to find my clothes that I've already laid out for the day, I stumble.  I take a shower, I stumble.  I turn on the television to check out what's going on in the world, I stumble.  I make my lunch, I stumble.  I drive to the bus stop, I stumble.  Sitting in my seat on the bus, trying to mind my own business, I stumble.  I walk into the building where I work, I stumble.  I start my day, I stumble.  I create an ad, I stumble.  I send an email or two, I stumble.  I file paperwork, I stumble.  I get back on the bus, I stumble.  I drive back home, I stumble.  I walk in the door, I stumble.  I eat dinner, I stumble.  I help with the kid's homework, I stumble. I write this blog, I stumble. 

My point is, I am constantly stumbling.  Not literally, but mentally and spiritually.   In everything I do, I mess up.  I don't mean to, but before I know it, boom I say the wrong thing, or I react the wrong way, or my thoughts aren't where they should be.

My poor oldest daughter has some issues and one thing we were told that we could do to help her is to have her take a deep breath when she feels anxious or starts to get upset.  That's honestly good advice.  I have put that into practice and have noticed it gives me the opportunity to regain myself and go back to "Daddy" instead of "The Father". Or it helps me refocus on where my thoughts should be, or what Christ would have me do.

You may not be a "believer" but either way this is good advice...
Jesus said to love the Lord God with all of our heart, mind and soul.  And then He said to love our neighbors as ourselves.  It's easy to say we love someone, but our actions are always louder than our words.  If we are commanded to love our neighbors as we do ourselves then the love that we show our true loved ones should be above and beyond. 

Yes, we do love our children, our spouses, our significant others, moms and dads, our relatives and of course our close friends. But love isn't just about feeling it or saying it.  We need to show the love.  I'm not saying we should buy each other expensive gifts, or chocolate.  What I am saying is show patience.  Go above and beyond to get coffee with them.  Go to their events.  Listen.  Give a hug.  These are simple things that show our love.  It's genuine. If it's an acquaintance, give them a moment of your time.  You never know what kind of change you may bring to that person's life, or what kind of change they could bring to yours.

In the end we are all going to stumble and if you are like me you are going to fall flat on your face more times than you care to.  But how you take your next step can make all the difference.  I am not advising to give the person next to you that you hardly know a hug because you thought something that you shouldn't have.  And I am not saying that you should reward yourself with a donut every time you react the wrong way in a situation to make yourself feel better.  What I am saying is take a moment, take a deep breathe and realize in that moment who you really are.  You are an awesome person. You are going to mess up, fall down, fall flat.  Refocus your thoughts and move forward.  Trust me, if I can do it, so can you.

Just a thought...

What type of follower are you?

I have come to the realization that there are four types of followers in almost every faith.

The peephole follower

The cracked door follower

The tea time follower

The open door follower

The peephole follower wants to see what everything is about before even unlocking the door. They like to have all the information first even if it means talking through the door. And most of the time they come to a conclusion on what their faith is but they are always comfortable behind the door.

The cracked door follower will open the door ever so slightly once they have some information and it feels safe. They may even venture out occasionally. Of course they keep a baseball bat behind the door in case you say something out of the ordinary or something that contradicts what they think so they can repel you back out to where you came from.

The tea time follower will tell you, "Not today but what about tomorrow? We can sit down over some tea."  But the truth is they won't be there or something will have come up that they can't make it. And after several attempts they will finally allow you in for enough time that it takes to drink your tea...they already know what they believe. But out of kindness they will listen but not hear a word of the conversation. And when they've had enough they will scurry you along so they can get to the next supposed appointment that they have. They will come to the worship center occasionally. But mostly to make an appearance. For show.

The open door follower will always let you in. They already know in their hearts what they believe. However, they will always listen and hear what is being said. They even may take your information and study on their own. They will come to the worship center and see what everything is about. They will always welcome you back. They will build a relationship with their God so that they may knock on the doors of others. They are open to talking about life and what their God is truly about and what their God wants from them.  They will discuss the intricacies of their faith, right or wrong. They are the ones that become members of the worship centers. 

Obviously the goal and hope is to find the open door followers. But whose to say the peephole follower over time cannot become the open door follower. 

The real question is which type of follower are you?  I have talked to many people who 100% believe in their God but are still peephole followers.  As a follower is that what you are called to be? Check yourself and see? What does you faith truly ask of you?  Are you to remain behind that door or yank it open and let your faith out?

Think about it!