Today I had the misfortune of being the target of teasing and being “made fun of”. Depending on who is doing the teasing, and what they are teasing about, I can usually deal with it fairly well. However, there are always a few people who, when they tease, it hurts; they always manage to end their barbs with “JK”, just kidding. As if, somehow, because they say “JK” that makes it alright; it doesn't
. Friends, saying “JK” doesn't make teasing acceptable, and teasing is not funny if the person being teased is not laughing too. Whoever said “words can never hurt me” clearly had no idea of how fragile people can be. I don’t care whether you are four or one hundred and four; words can hurt. We live in a society where it has become quite acceptable use snappy mean quips that put others down. We see it on television shows, in movies, and many other places. I am sad to say that, occasionally, I have fallen in to this trap myself. Christian friends, we really need to be careful not to adopt the world’s standard in this area. Lest you think I’m a “kill joy”, I love jokes and kidding around just not when it is aimed at people and not if it puts them down. People need to know that we love them, and if our teasing hurts them; we do not love them.
As I was driving home today, I passed a person walking on the side of the road. Since it was cold, and snowy, I thought I should stop and offer the person a ride. As I drove on by, I was irritated with myself for not stopping. I could have and should have but I didn't. Why? I was scared! Maybe that wouldn't bother you, but I'm willing to bet there are things that make you afraid. It may be snakes or spiders that send the ticker into overdrive. Or maybe it's your job and finances that keep you up at night when you should be resting. Then again perhaps it's relationships that consume your thoughts and energy. As followers of God, we know that we are told not to be afraid. Yet we often are afraid despite everything we know. As I was driving away from a missed opportunity, I began thinking about what it is that makes us afraid. I honestly am not sure what it is that causes us to be afraid when we should be bold, but I
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