After reading “An E-mail Tale”  we hope your heart’s in better shape than this one.  Either way, if you’d like us to listen for awhile, massage the heart with your mouse and share what’s on your heart.

The Bible says that God has the ability to change people’s lives and I believe it. I can’t explain how he does it, only that he does. Reading through Scripture, there are countless instances of men and women becoming drastically different after God began to work in them.  More importantly, my life has been changed.  Here’s how I explained part of that transformation to a friend at work.

How the Story Came to be Told

July 30, 2001 a woman in my office commented on how patient I was. The circumstances which gave rise to that statement are long forgotten but obviously it was something that could have driven me screaming up the wall. She either was speaking from the position of "having attained a high personal level of patience myself, I can see it in others" or she was a fellow wall walker.

For one who likes to share their spiritual beliefs, it was too good a possibility to pass up. So, I thanked her, let her know that I hadn’t always demonstrated that type of calm under pressure, and asked if she’d like to hear what had happened to enable me to change. She said yes.

What I Told Her

“First I come from a long line of impatient men.  I could wave an unfriendly greeting to a passing motorist who had cut me off on the freeway before you could take another breath. I mean, 'short fuse' was my middle name. Kicked a fire hydrant one time when I got mad at someone (it won) and have even been known to throw a phone off a desk (more than once) at a previous job.”

Now, I wasn’t proud of that behavior but I thought she needed to understand the extent of the problem to help her see the depth of the solution.  I went on to say that the change didn't happen because I matured. It was a spiritual thing that God did.

More of the Tale

“One day in 1972, my wife tells me a couple at our apartment has invited us to their church. Now, I was a young adult in the 70's, but not a hippie, and these two were major hippies (at least they looked like it) and they were also what I called 'Jesus Freaks.'

I had gone to church as a kid (and still did sometimes with Ellen) but didn't think a lot about spiritual things like reading the Bible or praying or things like that. But this couple was different. They prayed like they knew the person they were praying to and it made me uncomfortable. We ended up going to their church anyway.”

The story dramatically changed at this point as I shared that at their church I listened to  a much different explanation for my anger than anything I’d ever thought of.

The Tale Gets Serious

“I heard for the first time what my real problem was. The impatience and anger was only a symptom. The pastor (who looked like an old hippie himself) explained that mankind lives the way they want to live instead of how God wants them to. It looks different in different people but in the end, it comes down to our stubborn refusal to obey the One who created us.”

That was a shocker to me because I’d always considered myself a pretty good guy and I figured God probably thought the same way.  When I came face to face with a very unpleasant picture of myself, I was ready for the change God offered.  In my e-mail to her, I explained what that offer was and how I came to accept it.

Her Reply

I haven't had a chance to read this, but I will tomorrow...

That came about an hour and a half after I sent my e-mail.  I never heard anything from her about my story but that’s ok.  In fact one of the reason’s I chose e-mail as my means of sharing was to provide her an easy way out of the discussion if she desired.  I promised her I wouldn’t follow up with her if I didn’t hear back and I haven’t.

Your Opportunity To Join The Discussion

I like this site for that same reason.  You might be interested in something in the story and not be ready to interact or you could have a friend who would be a better person to discuss this issue with.  Maybe my tale didn’t evoke any thoughts or feelings in you at all.

Wherever you are, after reading “An E-mail Tale” the next step is up to you and that’s what Listening Hearts is all about.  We’ve had our say and if you want to continue the conversation, we’ll listen.

 

His grace creations!

Offering Directions for the Journey