A Few Meditations
Although this doesn’t directly relate to anything we’ve done per se, this conversation really blessed me last week and I thought it worth sharing with all of you.
Chris Alexander and I were reflecting on the fact that we are both of a rather more quiet nature than most of the missionaries that FMC attracts. Not to say that this causes problems, but it is difficult at times to live in community with people whose personalities are so unlike your own. Most of the time, we find great opportunities to grow and learn from each other, but at times conflict does arise, as is normal. We try to handle it the best we can, which given our tendencies is to handle it in silence. But as is the case as well, we tend to grow frustrated with our own silence. It is a conundrum of sorts, and this internal struggle was the topic of our conversation the other day.
Chris had called his mother seeking advice on whether he should try harder to be more outgoing or talkative, and he shared with me her response. She told him to value his quiet nature precisely because it is so rare these days. As she said, most people are so concerned with telling their story, with talking about themselves, that those who do not are actually a blessing in today’s world.
We started reflecting on this, after joking around about his being a blessing of course, and it reminded me of the passage in the New Testament that is often said in reference to Mary. “She kept all these things in her heart”. Mary is rarely documented as speaking in the Gospels. It made us think back to what an example she is to us as the first disciple and follower of Christ. And the only things she has ever been documented as saying, ever, was praise of God, and invocing His help and aid. In all her apparitions, she asks people to pray to her son and invoke His aid and gives Him praise . That’s it. That’s all the perfect disciple ever says.
I think about how much I say. I think about how much of it is worthless. I think about the fact that everything I should say should be only in praise of God and to call on Him in my life.
That is going to be so hard….
