Randy E. Williams
There was six years between me and my sister, she being the elder. For a little boy it’s challenging enough simply having a sister, but an older one had its special challenges. (She reminded me several times in a day)
While we had more than our share of sibling rivalry, I’m happy to say that we outgrew it and today she’s a great friend. Back then was a different story. The only real concern I can ever remember seeing on her face for me was when blood started flowing. I’m still not sure if it was concern for me, or her because of what she was going to get for hurting me.
We were unified on one point. "Take your brother with you,"we words we’d rebel on. You couldn’t really say that we looked out for each other. No, siree our philosophy was, "Me, Myself and I."
It’s not really different from our society’s philosophy either. A few months ago a friend of mine was riding the Metro into Washington DC with her daughter. She couldn’t really see the map hanging on the exterior wall that well so she leaned forward to see which stop was theirs. Still having trouble reading it she got up out of her aisle seat but as she got up, another lady about her age slide into the her vacated seat and sat next to my friend’s daughter.
The lady turned around and said, "Excuse me I was sitting there with my daughter. I only moved so I could see the map." The seat thief looked her straight in the eyes and said, "Too bad," and turned away. "Me, Myself and I" is very prevalent in the adult world too.
In the New Testament there is a verse in Philippians that says, "Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (2:4) There are a couple of things implied there: 1. Look out for yourself. 2. Don’t be so selfish. Others are as important as you are.
When we apply this principle to reconciliation, we will quickly see that we when seeking to negotiate we need to seek for mutually beneficial situations. This is most easily done when we adopted the attitude of Philippians 2:4
Saturday, February 04, 2006
Monday, August 08, 2005
Restoration Is Worth The Price
By Randy E. Williams
I once worked with a guy who liked to restore cars, especially muscle cars. The nicest one that he restored, in my opinion, was a ‘68 Chevy Corvette. Metallic blue with a white convertible top, set off by chrome mag wheels and dual exhaust. Everything that he put on the car was just how the original owner had it. He worked from old photographs, family memories, and talked with people in the business who really knew ‘Vettes. It took him a long time. He had to scour the countryside looking for original parts, but when he was finished, the car was truly a work of art.
1968 came alive again for him as he cruised with his top down and an 8-track tape of the Beach Boys set the mood for a Saturday afternoon ride. When he drove down the road, he got lots of honks, waves and nods from ‘Vette enthusiasts and curious wannabes. Final analysis? It was worth every penny, every drop of sweat and every frustration.
Now, if a car is worth all that . . ., how much more is a brother or sister worth?
Whenever something is restored, it is made it like new again. It is returned it to its original condition and purpose. Of course it is different. Just as valuable, maybe more so, than before.
The New Testament teaches in Galatians 6:1, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch of yourself, lest you too be tempted."that’s what family is for. Not only do we correct the erring brother (or sister), we also give them a place at the table once again. Too often we never trust them again or treat them the same.
It is easy to look away when we see something going array. It’s easier still to talk about them behind their back, and treat them like aliens from another planet or just be plain rude. However, we cannot be obedient and do these things.
After we have removed the log from our own eye so that we my see clearly, then we should go to that person, one-on-one and seek to restore them. This must be done with all humility and with gentleness. Sometimes, it helps to share from the depths of your experience, perhaps when you were in error once and how someone help you get out.
By Randy E. Williams
I once worked with a guy who liked to restore cars, especially muscle cars. The nicest one that he restored, in my opinion, was a ‘68 Chevy Corvette. Metallic blue with a white convertible top, set off by chrome mag wheels and dual exhaust. Everything that he put on the car was just how the original owner had it. He worked from old photographs, family memories, and talked with people in the business who really knew ‘Vettes. It took him a long time. He had to scour the countryside looking for original parts, but when he was finished, the car was truly a work of art.
1968 came alive again for him as he cruised with his top down and an 8-track tape of the Beach Boys set the mood for a Saturday afternoon ride. When he drove down the road, he got lots of honks, waves and nods from ‘Vette enthusiasts and curious wannabes. Final analysis? It was worth every penny, every drop of sweat and every frustration.
Now, if a car is worth all that . . ., how much more is a brother or sister worth?
Whenever something is restored, it is made it like new again. It is returned it to its original condition and purpose. Of course it is different. Just as valuable, maybe more so, than before.
The New Testament teaches in Galatians 6:1, "Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch of yourself, lest you too be tempted."that’s what family is for. Not only do we correct the erring brother (or sister), we also give them a place at the table once again. Too often we never trust them again or treat them the same.
It is easy to look away when we see something going array. It’s easier still to talk about them behind their back, and treat them like aliens from another planet or just be plain rude. However, we cannot be obedient and do these things.
After we have removed the log from our own eye so that we my see clearly, then we should go to that person, one-on-one and seek to restore them. This must be done with all humility and with gentleness. Sometimes, it helps to share from the depths of your experience, perhaps when you were in error once and how someone help you get out.
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