Three sisters were of my Grandmother’s generation and leading figures in our community. In my lifetime I don’t think I ever heard a conversation between them, or saw them together, except when their mother died.
Even then, the only talking was an argument which took place at a restaurant. They began screaming about who would get what pieces of furniture.
Nobody was apparently happy with the result, because they never spoke again — at least to my knowledge. The sisters would talk about how much they hated each other to anyone who would listen, but that was about it when they referenced each other — there was never a softening.
This went on for years and as each one died they even refused to attend the funerals. It was very sad, and especially so given this tension was passed on to the following generations. We lived in a small town, so we all learned never to mention one sister’s family in front of the others. As children if we played with one sister’s grandchildren, we couldn’t play with the others at the same time.
All three sisters were very active in their three different churches and leading Christians in our community. They fed the poor, helped the widows and orphans, the homeless, working for and talking about the Lord constantly, but they had this hate in their heart. It was the hate they seemed more passionate about than anything else.
The hate defined them until their dying day, not their love of God. All their good work was forgotten, what would be remembered was this hate. I wonder how many of us ever stop to consider what word or words best describe our lives?
Do we take time to look at ourselves as others may see us? If we were to make a list of the things most important to us, based on the time and energy we generate towards those things, what would be listed as a priority, or what would a priority list include: Watching television? Sports? Working? Our family? Playing? Daydreaming? Reading? Hobbies? What would people point to as that which was most important to us? What is our passion?
If we were to take time to re-read the emails we send out or forward, or if we were to listen to what we actually say in our spoken conversations to/or about others, or were to listen to our voiced opinions, what would these things say about us? Would people say, “Here is a person of God! — A loving person” — Or would they see us as hate-filled? Prejudiced? Petty? Mean-spirited? Opinionated?
How much of our day is spent in pursuit of the presence of God? In prayer? In praising Him? Do we invite God into our every action and thought? If not, why not?
“By their fruits you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles?” (Matt. 7:16, NIV).
Let us strive to live our lives as we would want them defined, to the glory of God.
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The Rev. Walter Van Zandt Windsor is rector at Trinity Episcopal Church.
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Editor’s note: Pastors or associate pastors interested in writing for this section may submit articles to pbcnews@pbcommercial.com. Please include your phone number and the name and location of your church or ministry.