PIOSITY

As I glance back in time I uncover acquaintances helping me to maneuver through disasters that awaited me. I also see myself shying away not wanting to relegate these maneuverings as warnings from others but instead as a design bestowed upon myself as brilliance. It seems I become frustrated when people, friends or otherwise, dictate the hows and whys of my life; what I do or things I say. The approach of these situations should be my business and decision should they not? These pious ne'er-do- wells are like irritating burrs under my saddle.

But really now, the people who I feel are full of piousness are no different than myself. They are not without temptation or tendency. No one is perfect in all areas of life but we all may have some contribution for betterment.

When I ask for an opinion I most usually am looking for resolution not absolution. Therefore I go to my friends who believe as I do and ask if my participation in some such matter is OK. If I do ask someone who may oppose me, and they do, I consider them pious not practical. I make an attempt to analyse their life and call them heretics not realizing they have succumbed to temptations with which they wish me not to struggle.

Sure there are Pharisaical frumps who have nothing better to do than stomp on my creativity.  But, I must make sure I am dealing with frumps and not parents who care for me or friends who hold me accountable or pastors who use the Word of God to sear my conscience.

Tendency to question, the still small voice or even the reason to reevaluate my steps are there for a reason...I must take heed lest I 

fall. I must be careful not to categorize people who warn or differ as pious for quite soon I may discover that what I thought pious is truth and what I felt was truth is actually piosity.

Old Fashioned

A few years ago, my mother-in-law was shopping at a grocery store in Upper Michigan.  As usual, she was chatting with the store clerks, making everyone feel comfortable.  Gordon Food Service (GFS), is a very customer friendly store and will gladly order any special items for you, slice meats and cheeses and fulfill most any other request you have.  A grill out was in the making so the proper items were being sought out.  My mother-in-law brought a rather large chunk of cheese to the teenage boy at the slicing counter and she proceeded to say one of those "take back" sentences.

                "If you could cut the cheese, I'll go take a look at your buns."

Maybe sooner than almost immediately, she realized her comment and giggled off to aisle 6 to check out the buns.  The teenage boy sliced up the cheese and made certain his back was up against the wall.

Do I often say things I wish I hadn't?  Do words come out less profound or not so eloquent as I had hoped?  Are my expressions, ideas and phrases out of date?  I understand these questions are very easy to answer, hence the muse of my blog. 

Lately, I have been made privy to different bloggers who humorously depict characteristics and mannerisms of people trying to live for their God.  Over the years my focus of Christlikeness has, most possibly, developed these characteristics, opening the door to this sarcastic bloggery.  My pursuance of God may cause irritation to many people.  I most likely use goofy words, bad spelling and grammar combined with idiosyncrasies that seem weird and old fashioned.  I do wish I was up to date, interesting, funny and full of new wisdom fulfilling mans desire to follow Christ.  However, it seems, I have not been blessed with overly scintillating bits of information.  But, hopefully, my writing may be taken as heartfelt and not be looked at as buffoonery.  My desire is constantly being updated but my techniques may be somewhat behind the times.  Church speak, being cautious and sensitive leads to criticism because it seems overly zealous, out of date and accusatory.  The reality, however, is a true desire to be the best I can for my Savior.

Criticism may be in order and a little "lightning up" may be the course for those of us who button our shirts too high or our skirts too low.  But understand, the desire for a sense of purity is not all bad.  You may feel I am forcing my carefulness on you because I do or don't do things, when the truth is, I struggle with my ability to be less than I should.

I follow my Christ in the world I am part of and try not to be too stogy.  Some, although, may feel a cold castle in the mountains would better suit me.  If you could somehow adjust your view to avoid my "codgery" and focus in on the few things that may affect you positively, I would be pleased for you to catch some of the love I have for my God.