The word "vain" is used in several ways in the bible. At Ps. 33:17 it says, A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save. Then at Ps. 127:1 we find, Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Then 1Cor. 15:58 reads, Therefore my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain. But the most recognizable usage is given by King Solomon when he says all is vanity and a striving after the wind. When I perused the concordance of my bible I failed to find the term self-respect. But I did find the word "respect." And it referenced its usage in connection with our mother, the elderly, husbands and wives, our earthly masters, for men and women and to everyone_ just for starters. But none in combination with one's self. But there is a secular song about it written many years ago by Pop Staples of the Staple Singers. It was popularized during my youth and the lyrics spoke to the fact that if you curse around women folk and don't even know their names; and you think it'll make you a big ol man. It goes on to even mention covering your mouth when you sneeze. Crude it was, but on target. Now, to tie the two together. When does concern for one's self become vanity? I have pondered that issue. I believe in looking and smelling nice. All of the time. Well, except for when I am decked out in my jamies around the house. But once I leave the house, I put my best foot forward. Makeup, nice clothes and perfume. And, of course the hair is well groomed. When these things are not in place, I feel out of place. And, I have wondered, 'do you have to look good to feel good?' Some say yes. I have even heard people ask, 'do you feel like you look?' And, in many cases it wasn't meant to flatter. Clothes may not make the man, but you demonstrate self-respect by the way in which you groom yourself. It becomes vanity, when it consumes you. When it becomes more important than anything else. When you have to have them in place in order to feel good. Then, it becomes a crutch, which leads to vain thoughts. We should feel good about the creative product that God has fashioned whether we are in evening attire or sack cloth. Whether we are at the Hilton or in the hospital. God created us to be happy. Regardless of how we look.
This will be a "breath" blog.' What is a "breath" blog,' you ask. I borrowed the term from Rick Warren, the author of THE PURPOSE DRIVEN LIFE. He uses the term to reference short prayers that can be uttered using one stream of breath. I don't know if the idea originated with Mr. Warren but I am crediting him with it. There are few original ideas under the sun. It certainly didn't spring from my cerebral hemispheres. I thought about the term because I was thinking about my style of blogging. Now, as a disclaimer, I am not criticizing anyone's writing habits. I do not consider myself to be a professional in that area, nor am I a published author beyond my local rags. I admire those who can write endlessly and have it all fit together. I suppose one might call them prolific writers. But, as for me, I think it; write it just as quickly and VOILA. With a background in teaching Journalism and grammar I know that editing is more important than the finished product. But, it seems as if my writing comes from my soul. I know what I want to say. I have the basic writing skills. And I go for it. I have a website and that is how I do it there as well. Perhaps I will never make a class act writer, but I certainly have fun. And, with the website, I am doing God's work. So, if my blogs seem a bit short, it is because I am writing a "breath" blog. Enough said.
When you get older your expectations in life become more realistic. It's amazing how that happens. I can remember when I desired to marry a prince on a white horse, so to speak. Well, I married at twenty-four and he turned out to be the frog rather than the prince. We were most definitely unequally yoked. In the wrong ways. He had a thirst for the night life. I didn't. He had no interest in attending church. I did. He wasn't exactly a hard worker. I was. So, with my first husband, the bible proved accurate when it admonished believers not to become unequally yoked. It was a mistake. But, I learned from it and left the marriage with a beautiful daughter in tow. Later in life, that "frog" and I became good friends. Now, fast forward some thirty years. And, again I married someone with whom I had little in common. But, this time for all of the right reasons. He is a home body. I am not. He doesn't like to talk. I do. He cooks. I don't. He's older. I am younger. He has little formal education. I have a Master's Degree. He hates books. I love them. He loves television. I hate it. He is a hands on person. I go by the book. But, here is the clincher. We both love the Lord. And we are like two figures on a see saw balancing each other. All has not been a bed of roses. We had a bumpy start because of his insecurities. There were times when I didn't think we get past GO! But as the Easter season approaches so does our fifth anniversary. You see, we met at church one Easter Sunday. My brother is married to his niece. He courted me like a gentleman. He got permission from my brother to call. He has turned out to be a great PAPA and a wonderful bonus father, as well as son-in-law. He helps my mother and that boosts his ego. There is someone around who knows less than he. Of course, he doesn't give himself enough credit as he knows quite a few things. Especially about life. He has the common sense and I the book knowledge. So, I guess you could say the rubber meets the road at that point. While I am still unequally yoked, it is for all of the right reasons this time.
Sometimes Christians are harder on themselves than God. Especially those for whom much was forgiven. At one time, I was like the little boy in the nursery rhyme who, when he was good was very, very good, but when he was bad, he was horrid. I admit that I have been at both extremes. But, never lukewarm. Remember the congregation in Revelation that was such. Referencing Revelation 14: To the angel of the church of Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God's creation. I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm_neither hot nor cold_ I am about to spit you out of my mouth. Well, I never fit that description. I have been described as a zealot and that can go in both directions. Most people like the middle-of-the-road method. Not me. I do everything whole souled. But, that can create problems because as I am on the straight and narrow path, I sometimes beat myself up over small matters. I spend too much time second guessing. 'Why did I say that?' 'Why did I do that?' 'Why didn't I say that?' 'Why didn't I do that?' Sometimes I forget what God remembers: that I am only fashioned from dust. And that I will always have reasons to seek forgiveness because I have not reached the point of perfection. I often wonder how traditional ministers handle those issues. I use the term "traditional" because every believer should be a minister as it simply means to serve. I find myself praying for my pastor. It must be hard to lead a flock when you know that you are not a perfect shepherd. The flawless lamb has died and shall return again. Contrastively, there is the self-righteous who always consider their behavior appropriate. That persona concerns me more. They have a Pharisee Complex. They are, more often than not, hypocrites. They do things to be seen by men. Jesus aptly described them as such. They wanted the prominent seats and wanted to be recognized all of the time. And, the scary thing is they considered themselves to be doing the right thing. We have such personalities in our churches today. They like titles. They like prominent seats in the sanctuary. They like to "lord it over others." These are of the same sorts who crucified my Lord. Even then they thought themselves to be righteous. If I had to choose sides, I would rather be self-condemning. Paul once said, he who judges himself will not be judged. And when he asked the Lord to relieve him of his "thorn in the flesh," God replied that His grace was sufficient for him. So, I suppose I will have to live with my weaknesses, for in being weak I am strong.
Honor thy parents is the only commandment with a promise. Or so I understand. And that is easier to do while parents are spry and alert. However, once they are over-the-hill, some children begin to write them off. Many assume they are just not as sharp as they once were and are ready to be put out to pasture. What they don't understand is that their "old nags" may end up taking care of them_again. God certainly honored grey-headedness. Abraham was no youngster when he headed out for an unknown land. And I think the story of Sarah's motherhood in later years is proverbial. And then there was John's mother and don't forget Samuel's mother. Many might say, 'well, people lived longer back then and they were in good shape.' There are many excuses available for ignoring your parents when they need you as you once depended upon them. My mother lives with me. She is eighty-two. Albeit she looks great and is in fairly good health, she gets confused easily and needs a lot of supervision. She lives closer to me than my brother who resides in a frigid area. We live in The Sunshine State. Though younger, his health is more precarious than mine. His physical ailments are always forefront with little consideration for my mother's issues. His sporadic phone calls are always addressed to me, with remnant talk with my mother. I think he has just lost interest in her needs and concerns. Now, I am not saying that I don't grow weary at times. I also realize that I am the daughter and these responsibilities usually rest upon the female. I also am cognizant of my proximity to her. But, I know how much my mother loves her youngest child. She never gets upset over his behavior. Recently, for example, he has evidenced problems with his carotid artery. And he has my sympathy and prayers. But, when I attempt to explain the results of my mother's recent medical exams, they are always brushed aside. I know my situation is not unique. There are myriads like it. I just hope, somehow, there may be someone reading this who recognizes themselves in this blog and reconsiders when they begin to "write-off" their elderly parent as they would a deduction.
You hear it everywhere you go. From your doctor. In magazines. On the television and radio and your own conscience. Exercise prolongs the quality and quantity of life. And it does. The problem is: fitting it in an already twenty five hour day. When do you do it? Well, how important is it to you? We usually do that which is important to us. Physical exertion hasn't always been an issue. During the days of our grandparents, it went with the "territory." In other words, it was a part of their lifestyle. They milked cows. Excellent for the arms and back. They tilled the soil and reaped the harvest. They made their own clothes and cooked food from scratch. Few owned vehicles so they walked or biked around town. They didn't have the problem with obesity as presently exists_even in childhood. But, fast forward to modern society. Everything is activated with a button and little effort on our parts. The television, the microwave, computer games, the ever-present cell phone and even cars. So, when do we get a chance to squeeze in a little exercise_both physical and mental. We move on automatic pilot most of the time. We sit and wait to be entertained, even on Sunday mornings. Some say you expend calories while engaged in mundane activities such as vacuuming the floor or gardening. I say hog wash. You have to put your back into it when you exercise. Okay, I will admit that sometimes I run around the house to the extent that I feel that I have compensated for a scheduled workout. There are places where one can go to exercise. But, they cost money. And let us not forget the appropriate wardrobe. And, many require you to sign a contract. Well, I have tried those and most went out of business before my membership expired. Now, I have a simple solution. Get a ball (not sure of its proper name). Some weights. A treadmill and a stationary bike, and place them in an air conditioned room. Or walk. I choose the sanctity of my home. Mine are in the garage so I am not practicing that which I preach. Then, turn on the music. I have an ipod. Then, start praying. If you are listening to a song, imagine you are singing that tune to the Lord. Then, exercise won't be such a chore. Think of it as time to spend with the Lord. Instead of sweating to the sixties, as Richard Simmons admonishes, you will be sweating to the scriptures.
I am bold enough to say, 'I am God's friend." What characterizes a friend of the Most High? Romans 5:1,2 says, Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. So, if we have achieved peace with God we have earned His friendship. The bible tells us that there were certain special men with whom God had unique relationships. Moses was one of those men. At Exodus 33:11 it extols: The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend. David was considered a man after God's own heart. And David cultivated a special friendship with Jonathan, Saul's son. So far, we have referenced two men whom God considered personal friends. And they weren't perfect by no stretch of the imagination. Moses was a murderer. And so was David. David was an adulterer to boot. So far, we are learning that you don't have to be perfect to be considered a friend of Jehovah. That is encouraging. God knows hearts and motives. And He is a forgiving and understanding God. He knows His children as do all parents. Parents know of what their offspring are capable. They know the seat of their emotions. And then there was patient Job who argued with God. We can disagree with God and remain His friend. Personally, I have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. But, my relationship with Him was cultivated during my youth. I have a tattered diary that I have kept since fourth grade. And while most girls my age would write about their petty romances, my pages are filled with words of love for the Lord. I detoured from my years of innocence, but I never forgot my first love. Sometimes God's friends must endure trials. As with finite relationships, a friend is one who knows all about you, and likes you anyway. Isn't that true of your Heavenly Friend? He knows what you have done and what you will do in the future. He also knows that you are made of dust. There are some who do not want to be God's friend. Well, I pose this question: If not God's, then whose friend are they?
I often marvel at the plans for the temple that Solomon built. The plans were from God. Every inch of the temple was to be constructed according to God's wishes. Bible students are familiar with its layout. There were cherubs, and precious stones were not spared. It was, to most, ornate. And God liked bold colors as well. Colors like purple, red and blue. Many avoid wearing such colors as they do not consider them the choice of the subtle. God wanted his house to be beautiful. But did He have to have it so fancy? It was God's choice and we don't question his taste. Then, too, you must remember the culture. The homes of the wealthy were ornate. And some continue to build in that style. God is such an awesome God that His taste is simple to Him. I joined another church. It is non-denominational. Everything about it is simple. People dress "down" instead of "up." At my former place of worship, they were usually outfitted in suits, hats, shoes and purses_all matching. At my current place of meeting people look as if they had just left the shopping center. I shoot for the middle of the road. But, since I have been there my eyes have become more subtle when I choose clothes. Have you shopped for them lately? One blouse had an ornate string of beads hanging from its neckline. If it isn't too fancy, it is translucent. And, let us not mention the plunging bosoms. I have learned that cheap garments requiring dry cleaning are not bargains. So, I shoot for the simple as well as the washable. I think those dressed simply look better. Less attention is directed towards their outer garment and more towards their personality. Hair is another issue. And nails. And shoes. I wonder about the identity of the designers. I will bet they would think twice if they had to wear those clothes and stiletto heels. Simplicity really is a virtue but God's concept of it may be a little more elevated as He proves to be.
