Jul
3
2020
Change The Rhetoric
Posted in Evangelism 6 Comments
It was an annoying pain in my heel.
The annoying pain got a bit worse.
Finally, it was time to see a podiatrist.
He said what I already knew, since I had this happen many years ago.
Plantar Fasciitis.
It is an inflammation of the fibrous tissue along the bottom of your foot.
That plantar fascia connects your heel bone to your toes.
This happens because there is too much wear and tear on your foot.
The plantar fascia acts as a shock absorber.
If it becomes inflamed, it can cause pain and stiffness.
A tell tale sign of plantar fasciitis is pain in your heel upon the first step in the morning.
I knew what the problem was; I just needed to know what to do about it.
After x-rays were taken to rule out anything else, I heard what I knew I would hear.
No morning walk for the next two weeks until you come back for a follow up visit.
Ice your foot often.
Anti-inflammatory over the counter medicine should be taken for during this time.
Not being able to walk in the morning was hard to hear.
I knew that I needed to rest my foot.
I followed the instructions.
This actually got me back into my natural morning rhythm.
I love mornings and enjoy starting my day early.
Walking three miles means that I get a shower and get dressed after my walk.
Resting my foot meant that I could get up and get a shower first thing in the morning.
It meant that I was dressed for the day much earlier, which was so nice.
This week, I was released to walk, but only a mile.
A mile and an half is the maximum I want you to do, the doctor said.
I heard him and halfheartedly agreed.
However, on that first morning walk, I could see why he gave me those directions.
It was uncomfortable.
I could not walk my usual pace.
I did not want to push myself.
I did not want to lose the healing ground I had already gained.
It happened this particular morning.
I passed my neighbor who was walking on the other side of the street.
We said, hello, and remarked on the lovely day.
I could see that she had headphones in her ears; I didn’t want to disturb her too long.
I got down to the end of my street and was really uncomfortable.
I decided that a half mile was all I could do.
I went back home.
About fifteen minutes later, my phone rang.
I didn’t see you; are you OK? She asked sweetly.
When we pass each other like that, we tend to pass each other again at another point.
My heel was hurting, I admitted, knowing that I had told her about it.
I thought it was best not to push myself this first week.
That’s right! She firmly said.
You need to take care of yourself, she added.
You are the sweetest friend and neighbor, I said and meant it.
Thank you for checking up on me, I added before we hung up.
I went grocery shopping later that day.
The cashier saw me waiting in line and told me to go to register nineteen.
I’ll be right there, she said.
I put my food on the belt.
We talked about our country.
We talked about how weary we are about what is happening all around us.
I am so tired, I admitted to her.
I am so tired of the violence, the anger, and the hate.
A young man was bagging my groceries.
You know how I get through, she said.
You and I talk about this! She said emphatically.
Pray, I answered, we pray, as she shook her head in agreement.
I’m so glad my momma taught me not to hate, she said putting her hand to her heart.
I’m so glad she taught me about the Lord.
I know from our previous conversations, her momma laid the foundations of her strong faith.
Her momma taught her to pray.
I looked over at the young man bagging my groceries.
We do this all the time, I said to him, smiling under my mask.
We always talk about the Lord.
I know, he said, I’m listening.
I do not have the same color skin as my sweet neighbor, my cashier friend, and the young man.
I thought about that as I walked to my car.
IT IS NOT THAT HARD!
IT IS POSSIBLE!
The news would like you to believe that civility, kindness, and friendship is not possible.
All the featured, breaking news stories are stories of hate.
The same rhetoric is being spewed out every day and every night on social media.
ENOUGH!
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. (Philippians 4:8)
Change the rhetoric.
Change the type of story you share.
Tell about goodness, and kindness, and beauty.
Declare it.
I have heard it said that the one who owns the words, owns the culture.
The only Word I care about sharing is God’s Word.
God’s Word alone has authority.
God’s Word alone is Truth.
God owns the words.
God owns the culture.
Measure what you are hearing and seeing against the Truth of God’s Word.
God’s Word is never fake; it is always true.
It is up to us to make a difference.
Do we have the courage to say, Enough?
Do we have the boldness to share goodness and beauty?
Can we fill our social media pages with all that is right, and noble, and true?
Change the rhetoric.
No man owns the culture.
The earth is the LORD’s, and everything in it. (Psalm 24:1)
We are merely stewards of all that He has made.
I don’t know about you, but I am going to be intentional about sharing beauty.
I am going to be intentional about sharing Truth.
I am going to be focusing on what is good, and noble, and right, and pure.
Want to join me?
Hope your foot is all well. Sometimes he gives us reason to slow down. I loved reading this. I miss walking at dusk, hearing the birds settle in at night. Keep up the good “temple repair”
He knows about the beauty of feet that take tne word, even if it’s grocery shopping !
Julie,
You words are so tender.
Yes, beautiful are the feet that bring the Good News.
Thank you, friend.
Gina
Me, too–too much negativity in the world. We need to share all God’s joy and beauty!
Amen, Sue!
I wholeheartedly agree.
Gina
Yes I do. Thanks Gina
Sherie, I’m so glad, friend.
Gina