Pink Bunny Slippers

You have to know a little of my background to get the image of what I am about to tell you in your head! 

My life was "tough"! Lol, I was the middle child of 5 plus being a daughter of pastors/evangelists. It had its fun and insane moments! Definitely interesting!!

We traveled a lot - a whole lot!  My dad was always the driver of an 8 passenger van that was filled with kids, a B3 Hammond organ, drum set, bass guitar with an amp, plus whatever person decided to ride along with their stuff.  Dad, as the driver, got to decide when we stopped for a restroom break or to eat.  Well, I always had to stop for a potty break. Dad did not like to stop when it was not on his schedule.  If you know me, you know I can be relentless. He would eventually give in.

 SO MY CHURCH (BRAT) STORY begins:

My family and I were coming back from a revival in Maryland. It was around 2 or 3am.  I woke up, and of course, I had to have a restroom break.  In my defense, we had been traveling for hours and hours. Dad didn't want to stop, but I kept on and on until he finally stopped at a rest area. He wasn't happy at all!

So imagine this: A teen Wendy in a long dress and pink bunny slippers.  BIG FAT pink bunny slippers with ears!  I loved those slippers.  They went everywhere with me!

Dad stopped at a rest area that was over a hill.  You had to go down a ton of steps to get to it. It was in the middle of winter, so it was icy and snowy outside.  But I had one thing on my mind, getting to the bathrooms!  So, as soon as the van stopped, I jumped out.  Not thinking about having the slippers on!  

Well.....now I know why they are called "slippers!"  I set one foot out of the van door and lost my footing on the ice.  I didn't make it to the steps; I began sliding down that stupid hill! On my bottom in a long maxi dress and pink bunny slippers.  Well, that was bad enough.  I just closed my eyes and waited for it to end...and it did! Right in front of the men's restroom door!  I was a little disoriented and couldn't see very clearly.  I thought I had lost my glasses...but nope, my dress was over my head!  And, there I was in front of the door to the men's bathroom with my dress over my head and my pink bunny slippers sticking up off of my feet.  

My first thought was to get up before anyone saw me!  But, low and behold, I hear a man's voice, "Hey there (he was trying not to laugh), can I help you up?"  I froze, thinking I cannot let him see my face because I am too embarrassed!  So I said, "Nope, but thank you." As he walked away laughing, I realized my dress was still over my head and that my face was the last thing I should have been worrying about! 

WHAT'S ON MY MIND?  GLAD YOU ASKED!

Know that a "dog that will bring a bone will take a bone."

When I was a young kid, I heard my grandmother say this 1000x. I had no clue until I got older what it meant.

It simply means if someone is coming to you with gossip about someone, they will gossip about you to someone else.

Be careful what you listen to - don't be a garbage dump for people's gossip.

Don't be that person that people say things like, "Don't tell her/him anything, unless you want it all over town," or "Be careful what you say around "so and so" because she/he is the biggest gossip I know."

Is that the kind of person you want to be remembered as? Slamming other people to make yourself look better? To make yourself look right? To throw the attention off of what you are (or are not) so people's attention will be on someone else, and you feel like you have gotten by with something?

Pastor Jay said this (a long, long time ago, and it stuck with me)

"You can con your neighbor, you can con your church people, you can con the pastor or even con yourself - but you will NEVER - EVER con Jesus!"

He sees, He knows, and He is keeping track. The good, the bad, and the ugly, He has a record. Which way will the balances tilt for you?

Proverbs 11:12-13 ESV

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense,

    but a man of understanding remains silent.

 

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,

    but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

PRAY THIS WITH ME TODAY

LORD, I pray that I will treat people with kindness, love, and honesty. To go the extra mile (or 10 if You want me to). To never be selfish or self-centered because others suffer when I am self-indulgent. I pray that I have made right the wrongs I have done to people over the years. If I haven't, Lord, bring them to my mind, and I will make amends the best I can. Let me talk TO people and not ABOUT them!

Forgive me for every time I have disappointed or embarrassed you. Every time I have misrepresented who You are. Every time I have gossiped about others. I want to please You and only You. Take my life and use it to build Your kingdom and not my own.

Jesus, I love you!

Amen