Contagious Personalities

As you can tell my last post was written a little more fluidly because I had a little fluid (mojito) to spur the thoughts. You get the typos and missed words all together.

Today, the Pastor's mom gave the sermon as he was out of town. I really like both the pastor and his mom. Great speakers! Intense and they make so much sense. She was talking about getting clues as to what makes a Christian. There are 3 types she gave:a) Clueless b) Counterfeit c)Contagious. I know she gave examples of all and admittedly the beginning I lost a little because I am working on little sleep. The clueless Christian really doesn't know anything about their walk and where they stand (I think, this is what I missed). The Counterfeit is the one that many have encountered;given such contempt in many non-Christians for Christians. They show one face to you, but truly in their heart they do not believe or have faith in what they are saying. The last I love, the Contagious. I have a few friends that are this way....actually a group of ladies in NC. They are all so Contagious. They are at various stages in their walk with Christ, but the room lights up when they are there and you feel you are infested with so much light, you can't help smiling. Don't get me wrong...they are not perfect. The only one to claim that title is Christ, but man they are all women I would love to emulate. They are all different, but there is a light, a joy, and immense strength that comes from them, you just want to be around them all the time. That is where I want to be. I think I waffle sometimes between the desire to be Contagious and Clueless. I try very hard not to be counterfeit, but I admit that must come out sometimes. I am human and I know my pride and vanity are my greatest weakness. I try not to judge anyone for what I see. I have enough non-believers as friends that they keep me in check as to how the world sees me. Not to make approval by the world, but to show if I seem false to anyone. That is one trait I can't stand, but is a weakness in myself. I lie to try not hurt someone else's feelings or to get around to the things I think I need. And man does it bite me in the butt when it comes back on me. Do you agree that sometimes the traits you hate most in yourself are the ones you are most adamant not to have around you? The people that show these traits bring out the worst in you and probably carry the brunt of the angry reaction. They reflect the worst side of you. LOL...the hardest training for me in this matter is having children. They reflect everything back - the best and the worst of yourself. I think I drive harder at trying to eradicate the worst of my traits out of my children. I have had to ask them to forgive me several times because it is not right for me to be this way when I ask them not to be this way. This is where I believe the Lord has a tremendous sense of humor.

I have often asked to work on certain personality traits in myself and prayed that the Lord will give me strength and wisdom to change these traits. I've come to realize these are the days I have the hardest battles with my children. I ask for patience and they test it all day long. To where I have to sit before them and take a deep breath. Say a prayer and then realize that whole day was training in patience. It just depends on how I choose to handle the situations before me. Do I blow up and continue to regret how I've reacted or acknowledge I have decided to call upon the Lord to help them through. To show my children that I'm not perfect and that I too must ask forgiveness. That even I get so angry I want to yell and scream, but blow and blow air out until I can calm down. Then pray and say I give up my anger and give up all that is pent up to the Lord. To really give it up and say I'm not going to hold it. This the only way they will understand. Hopefully, this is contagious. Hopefully, they become contagious to a world losing hope...losing their dreams. They will infect the people with life given through them from Christ.

Remember, a contagion can be good and it can be bad. We know the bad ones in illness,but we know the bad ones in people too. Find the ones that bring light. Stay away from the ones that steal your light and bring you lower than when you first came together. To keep away from them forever. It is those living in the darkness that need you the most, just don't go out there without ammunition. when you are filled with the light and feel compelled to share it with those around you....SHARE...go forth and send light to those around you. I guarantee there is someone guiding you and will not leave you in darkness.