Ok yesterday was just great...
I have felt as if I've been dealing with quite a bit of persecution for being a Christian where I live at recently.. so I was reading Matthew 5:10-12 which reads - "Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you."
All of these things are true.. I have been persecuted because of righteousness as I have chosen not to involve myself with some activities and talk with people which I felt was against what God wants for me... I have been insulted openly, and have been lied about. After reading this, I was glad. What happened after I read this was truly amazing..
Ok so I see this old woman sitting in the lobby, and since no one else was around I go and sit down next to her after asking if I could. She said it was ok, so I proceeded to start conversation with her. She had a head injury as well as a back injury. I asked her if I could pray for her and she said she'd love me to.. well I began to pray and in the middle of our talk with God someone on staff at the hospital came out and asked me what I was there for. I said that I was there waiting on a friend and she said ok and walked away. Right as we ended our prayer, two police officers came in and took me out of the building. They asked me why I was there, what I was doing, and said that the hospital staff called them because I was apparently bothering the lady I was praying for. I explained the situation and they did not believe me, so they ran my information and shortly after, they reluctantly let me go. I must admit I was a bit frustrated at first, but only moments later I remembered what I was reading in Matthew and I began to smile.
Just a few years back a run in with the police was not a good thing.. today it still isn't, but at least I didn't do anything wrong - and what a thing to have the police called on me for.. prayer in public.
- I'm out!
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2 comments:
Dear Jason
I'm afraid I'm on the side of the people who called the cops. Imagine if someone sat down next to you and started praying, not to Jesus, but to Mary, Baal, Satan, Hitler or Zeus. You'd get offended, no? Rightly so. You've got a different flavor of tradition than many (if not most) other people in the world.
To me it's all just the same superstition and I suppose I wouldn't mind so much, but to others it might be very troubling... especially to an old crippled woman who couldn't get away from you. If she were interested in prayer I think she'd go to church. What if this were your mother, and I sat down next to her and started telling her that Jesus were a mythological character who never existed. While that's true, I doubt your mother (who I assume believes as you) would find it very comforting. What if I tried to convert her to Mormonism?
Just something to think about mate. I'm sure your intentions were good and noble, but when in public we have to consider others.
Best, G
Gregoire, knowing Jason, I doubt if he was trying to "convert" her to anything. I believe he was instead trying to comfort her.
I think you're reading a lot into the situation by calling her an old crippled woman who couldn't get away from him, and that if she were interested in prayer she would go to church.
I know we all have our own take on things, and yours is as welcome as mine, and as important. I just wanted to respond that while we are only getting Jason's side of the story, I think there's a pretty big difference between offering to pray with someone as a comforting thing, and trying to convince someone that what they believe is mythological. Seems like two different things to me.
And I'm glad you and Jason are in my life. Thanks for your input.
SiouxsieQ
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