Do not be Ashamed - October 17

Today’s Readings: AM Psalm 25; PM Psalm 9, 15; Ecclus. 4:20-5:7; Rev. 7:1-8; Luke 9:51-62

The other morning, one of our neighbors showed up a little earlier than expected (eight minutes after I had gotten out of bed on a school day, and 32 minutes before we were to leave.   His mother was in the shower and so he took that unsupervised opportunity to flee from their home, and all of a sudden before any coffee was consumed, our kitchen was filled with loud banter about Pokémon.  I crashed back into the bedroom, “Anne, can we have a rule about no Pokémon this early in the morning?!?”  And I thought in my head, “why do they play those stupid cards that make absolutely no sense.”

I’m not sure why I was so irritated. Maybe I was irritated because the house was much louder than I am used to at 6:58 in the morning. Maybe I was irritated because I don’t get Pokémon and the kids are always talking about the trading cards and they are weird. Or maybe it was all due to not having a cup of coffee yet.  Why can’t I just enjoy the uniqueness of my children and what brings them and their friends joy?

I thought of this story as I read the wisdom from Ecclesiasticus also known as Sirach which our passage begins, “do not be ashamed to be yourself.” I worry if I want my children to grow up faster than they should, and what I witnessed too early in the morning was an unabashed joy in being a child.  Yes, the trading card conversation could have waited until later in the morning, but do wonder if we often subconsciously place expectations on others that run the risk of leading someone to be ashamed for enjoying the moments of wonder that shape who they are?

It's a little drastic leap, but we all receive all sorts of messages that shape and inform our consciousness about who we should be, what sort of things we should enjoy, and how we should act.  Some of this is helpful.  I was reminiscing about our colleague, Bob.  My friend and Bob were out to eat in downtown Chattanooga.  I am guessing they both had their collars on.  My friend was surprised when the waitress asked for prayers, Bob stood up in the restaurant and took her hands, and led the three of them in prayer. He didn’t offer the platitude of, “yes, I’ll pray for you.”  He stood up unashamed in public and offered what the needy waitress desired.  It was a moving experience for my friend too, another fellow clergy colleague who would have handled the situation differently. 

“Watch for the opportune time, and beware of evil, and do not be ashamed to be yourself.”  And maybe we should help others be themselves too.

John+

Questions for Self-Reflection:  What stories and experiences did this reflection bring up?  When have you been ashamed for who you are?  When have you embraced who you are?

Daily Challenge:  In your prayers today, give thanks for the things that make you unique.  Specifically name those things that you think might be a little quirky.