Not Looking
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you hang my
first painting on the refrigerator, and I immediately
wanted to paint another one.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you feed a
stray cat, and I learned that it was good to be kind
to animals.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make my
favorite cake for me, and I learned that the little
things can be the special things in life.
When you thought I wasn't looking I heard you say a
prayer, and I knew that there is a God I could always
talk to, and I learned to trust in Him.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you make a
meal and take it to a friend who was sick, and I
learned that we all have to help take care of each
other.
When you thought I wasn't looking, I saw you give of
your time and money to help people who had nothing,
and I learned that those who have something should
give to those who don't.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw you take care
of our house and everyone in it, and I learned we have
to take care of what we are given.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw how you
handled your responsibilities, even when you didn' t
feel good, and I learned that I would have to be
responsible when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw tears come
from your eyes, and I learned that sometimes things
hurt, but it's all right to cry.
When you thought I wasn't looking I saw that you
cared, and I wanted to be everything that I could be.
When you thought I wasn't looking I learned most of
life's lessons that I need to know to be a good and
productive person when I grow up.
When you thought I wasn't looking I looked at you and
wanted to say,'Thanks for all the things I saw when
you thought I wasn't looking.'
Should be Sobering to Parents
A message every adult should read because children
are watching you and doing as you do, not as you say.
Are We Accountable?
We all wish our politicians and leaders took their positions seriously. What would happen if authority was given only to those who behaved responsibly? What would happen if authority was removed from those who abused their position? Why do we argue and wrestle over what constitutes abuse? Why does it matter whether the person who abused their authority is liberal or conservative, straight or gay, black or white, male or female? The abuse is quickly forgotten as emotions are stirred up that have nothing to do with the abuse of entrusted power.
So what about the church? What about the volunteers, those folks who do much of the church's work behind the scenes? What about those who do not serve in any particular type of ministry, but they attend church regularly and faithfully give what they can? Are they responsible for reflecting God's love?
Maybe you think Christianity is a private matter. If it has become a private, individual affair is that how it was in the early church? Is that the way God intended it? Is that what Scripture says? Should Christians be held accountable just as people in public office should be held accountable?
Does the Bible promote isolation and private spirituality or does the Bible promote community? We are getting better at organizing and bringing diverse folks together for this project, that purpose, to build this or tear that down, and some last for a very long time, but I wonder if God had something else in mind?
Can communities be held together by organization; planning, purpose, function, getting everyone involved? Sustainable is the word. Qualify sustainable. Are we talking a year, decade, generation, thousand years? Despite all of their own questions, doubts, mistakes and failures, there is a body of people who have been held together, not by efficient organization, but by something organic. Love has held these people together for two thousand years. It makes them accountable.
Have you considered that we all have accountability partners? If we love we are accountable to the person we love. There are things we will not do, even if we want to, because our love for someone is stronger than our desire to do something that may hurt them. There are things parents will not do because they do not want their children to do the same thing. The problem is our world is moving so fast we often react to situations and circumstances, in a way we would never have done, if we had responded instead of reacting. Why can't we stop and consider the consequences of our actions?
Soldiers are trained to react in certain situations, just as people in the medical field, dancers, athletes, stock brokers etc. are. Our culture trains us to react, hurry, and stay busy. I would have gotten back to you sooner, but I have been so busy. Busyness is our excuse for shirking the accountability of love. I don't have time to read my Bible and pray, because I am so busy.
Busyness is numbing our senses. It is robbing us of the ability to be intentional. It is depriving us of the accountabilities that come with love, accountabilities that do not limit life, but accountabilities that enrich life. Love will not clamor for your attention, but neither will it go away. We live in a world that suffers from the consequences of rejected love. Indeed, we are held accountable.
We have more and more gadgets that help us stay connected while really allowing us to remain unconnected. Electrical lights allow us to see even at night, but cameras tell us the light is not the same. You cannot tweet Face to face relationships.
Sitting in a tree near the Hollywood Bowl, watching Neil Diamond perform Hot August Night with some friends, is not the same as listening to the CD. Talking with our family in California through a web camera is a blessing, but it is no substitute for holding my granddaughter in my arms.
Because we are so busy reacting to what we make happen, and what happens to us, we lose our ability to be intentional about how we think and what we do. Afterwards we are filled with guilt or remorse and we wonder how we could have said or did what we did.
Love is not free. To love others will cost you precious time and much, much more. It will force you to appreciate short cuts and substitutions, but never to confuse them with what is real. Love will make you intentional. Love will make you accountable. There are no victims of love.