Bubble Gum Story

My mom & dad were God-called evangelists that were gifted in so many ways.  Evangelism, prayer, faith, and healing to name a few.  They loved to preach, so we would be in revival night after night after night.  Sometimes in the same place and sometimes we just kept moving.  

For a church brat, growing up in church just becomes part of your life, and sometimes....sometimes....you forget where you are.  This is one of those times!

SO MY CHURCH (BRAT) STORY begins:

You have to know that these were the revivals that started around 7:30-8:00pm (to let the room cool down some from the heat of the day) and if you were lucky (sorry blessed) you would be out by 1:00am.  As a teen, sometimes I got bored (everyone can relate to that, right?). But, I knew better than to act like I was bored - my mom had eagle eyes that could see for miles! She could zone in across the room and I could feel her eyes on me.  So, for the most part, I tried to be attentive and a good little church brat.

One of those long revival nights, my dad was preaching and had been preaching for quite some time. I remember that it was so hot - no A/C in the middle of the summer with the windows open -  so a nice stale, hot, air blast could come through.  I blame the heat for my mind not working right! 

The story begins: 

I was sitting beside a preacher's wife (let's call her Kathy) on the front seat (you would think this was a safe place for me, right? But noooooo...).  I was about 15.  She had married young so she was still young, probably about 20.  We were great friends (or so I thought)! 

I had a piece of Bubble gum that was getting old and I was going to spit it out (real ladylike, ya know).  Well, my friend gauged me a little and said, "Here, handing me massive amounts of gum, see how big of a bubble you can get... I DARE YOU... well, ladies and gentlemen you know what I had to do... it was a dare.

So, me, being me, forgot where I was.  But, this was a dare, so you know I had to go out big!  I took not 1, not 2, not 3 but 4 pieces of Bubblicous Watermelon flavored pieces of gum.  My mouth was so full I could barely chew it, but I was getting ready to give her the biggest bubble she had ever seen!  I chewed and chewed and finally, the time came. 

I started blowing - and blowing - and blowing and I was so excited about the huge bubble I could see coming out of my mouth that I was giddy.  

I was lost in a dare!  My dad, however, was not.

He was preaching, like really preaching, and then, he saw me.  The thing is "I saw him see me!" My giddiness turned into fear.  So I was trying to suck it back in.  Well, don't ever do that!  I started choking and gagging.  My dad, still preaching, never missing a beat came over, pop my bubble with his finger and in the middle of the sermon said, "We will talk when we get home." And he kept right on preaching!

Now, that usually that meant I was in deep doo-doo when I got home. I was terrified.  I was thinking of all the things I would say to reduce the situation down to a misdemeanor! lol   

When we got home, I just stood there thinking if I don't move, he won't see me or forget what I had done. But he saw me and turned to looked at me and smiled and said, "That had to be the biggest bubble I have ever seen come out of anyone.  (wait, what? What just happened??).  He continued,  Just don't ever do that in church again, or this meeting will go a lot different! ( there it is! lol)

That was the day I found out the mercy of the Lord endures forever! 

WHAT'S ON MY MIND?  GLAD YOU ASKED!

I was thinking the other day that people, yes, even church people, can become toxic to our lives.

You can and should cut toxic people from your life. These types of people will manipulate you and your thoughts. It is not un-Christlike and it is necessary for your spiritual and emotional health.

If you are not careful you will find yourself being resentful and bitter towards those people affecting your life in a negative way. That is not what a healthy relationship looks like.

You can walk away from them. 

What you cannot do is hate them. What you cannot do is have bitterness or unforgiveness in your heart. Work those things out - those things are toxic, which will eventually make YOU that toxic person.

Toxic people will try to tear you down. Toxic people will try to tear down anything that means something to you, and then, somehow they become the victim.

The Bible is very direct about who we should surround ourselves with. Who should be in our "core" circle of friends? The Bible tells us who, read these passages, study on them.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV) 

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

Matthew 7:6 (ESV)

“Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you.

Proverbs 22:24-25 (ESV) 

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

Proverbs 13:20 (ESV) 

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,

but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 16:28 (ESV) 

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Some people may become toxic as a result of their own experiences in life. For example, they may have been raised in a dysfunctional household where they were not taught to handle their emotions in a healthy way. But, regardless of the source, you cannot let that control you. 

You pray for them and forgive them. But, you may have to put distance between you and that person. It is ok if you do. Check your heart, make sure it is clean before the Lord. Make your wrongs right. Take responsibility for your part in the situation and move on.

Note:

If you need a good guide to help you navigate your relationships, I have found that the "Discover Discipleship" Book 4: Relationships written by 

Jay Morgan

is an amazing way to dig into your heart and soul, and have healthy relationships, through the Word and being honest with yourself.  Y

ou will not regret working through your fears and past to have a healthy relationship with Jesus so you can have a healthy relationship with other people, through the pure love of Jesus.

Check it out on Amazon.

Discover Discipleship Book 4: Relationships

(There are 6 books to this series. It is worth the time to do them all!)

PRAY THIS WITH ME TODAY (in your own words)

Jesus, I am thankful that You love me. I am thankful that you forgive me. I am thankful that You want to have a beautiful relationship with your creation.

Lord forgive me if I have been that toxic person. If I have added my own toxicity to other relationships. 

I know I cannot get any relationships right until our relationship is right. You are my only hope. You are my Preserver of life. Help me to be the person that others can see YOU in my everyday life and know that You bring healing to this broken world.  

Heal my heart, heal the heart of those I have hurt. Make me aware of my words, my actions, and where my feet walk.

I love You. Put Your love in my heart and help me show the Healer to those around me.  

Amen