Pastoral Ponderings—Sourpuss
Have you ever been somewhere that’s supposed to be a healing, helping place, but instead, was a place that exuded negativity and a sour feel? We had an emergency room visit recently where I want to use the word “curmudgeon” to describe the staff, but while that would fit the men (seems to be a masculine term), there were many “sourpuss” types of all kinds “helping” as well.
That was NOT a very helpful experience, so when it looked like it would still be untold hours until we got real help, we went to a different emergency room, and got in right away. At this facility, the security guard was the first one to greet us with the biggest of jovial smiles, and his kindly greeting was only the first of many, where the whole staff greeted us and helped us with the most caring, positive of spirits.
You’ve likely experienced this kind of dramatic difference that attitude makes in places of hope and healing. We’ve used a Bible study in recent years called “Lord, Change my Attitude,” that you’ll be hearing more about in the coming months, and which recognizes that some attitudes can not only get in the way of our walk with God, but hurt others as well, while other attitudes can bring the hope and transforming grace from God—just with a change of attitude.
What attitudes are you expressing and living? How do your attitudes impact yourself, your loved ones, even strangers? Do your attitudes bring hope, healing and grace, or might they put obstacles in peoples’ lives, and in their relationship with God? And did you know that you can change your attitudes, to bring blessings to others, rather that wounding?
Sometimes we wonder if we really can have much of an impact on others, wondering, “who do I know,” but even when we might feel like we’re hermits, our paths do, and CAN cross a variety of others’ paths each day! Though living alone for 8 years, my mom blessed countless dogs (and their people!) every day with her daily walks, with only the expense of a hot dog or two each day (broken into bits for her canine friends…). Most anyone can take a walk—and share smiles and blessings each day—with both two-legged and four-legged friends. And that can be all it takes and change sourpusses into smiles!
Might not be easy to change attitudes—but as with the title of this study, we can all pray—“Lord, Change my Attitude,” to bring divine help to this difficult challenge.
Lord, change my attitude—that I can shine the Light of Your blessings wherever I am!
—Pastor Jim