5/10/10 There are things in life that just aren’t my cup of tea. Cats are the first that come to mind. Before you start throwing tomatoes (or cat litter) at the screen please understand that I am terrified of cats. I think it’s called, ailurophobia, a persistent, irrational fear of cats. Doesn’t matter that I know it’s irrational, it’s still there and has been as long as I can remember. Therapy for it is financially prohibitive so friends (especially the Ridleys) and family accept it as a part of who I am and just run interference for me. For that, I am grateful.
We all have those things that are just not to our liking. In Jan Karon’s wonderful books, The Mitford Series she uses Father Tim’s wife, Cynthia, as an example of one who has very few things she doesn’t like. Just not her “cup of tea.” Often her husband would ask her, “ Is there anything you don’t love?” Depending on the situation she would give her short list. “Crows feet, age spots and good-byes.” I can understand the goodbyes. Those are difficult for me as well, especially if I know I won’t see someone again for a long time or maybe never.
But my short list would also include: a complaining spirit, in myself or others; litterbugs especially those who think a cigarette butt is not litter; rudeness; attitudes of entitlement rather than gratitude; and rationalizing rule breakers who think rules are made for others, not them (ie. handicap parking spots and school speed zones)
Yesterday, Pastor Cole mentioned murmurings and disputings as something not to his liking. He equated it to horses in a parade, "dropping" every 50 feet or so. (stinks and sounds messy to clean up)
I came across a list in Romans 1 of things that I think would not be God’s “cup of tea” ---not acknowledging Him, greed, envy, deceit, gossip, unloving, unmerciful and applauding (or condoning) those (especially celebrities) who practice evil, to mention a few. Parenthetical notes are mine.
I don’t want to be on God’s short list, do you? It’s certainly something to think about on this meditating Monday.
Romans 1:28-32 And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them.
