Cyber courage...Is it courage at all?

So, you told someone that you would go with them to their cousin's wedding reception. But as the day draws closer, you dread going and decide that you're not going to go. In the old days, you would have no choice but to call the person on the phone to let them know how disappointed you are that "something" has come up! But these days?!?!?! I definitely appreciate the ease of communication! I can now be contacted through this blog, my facebook page, my home email, my school email, calling my home phone, calling my cell phone, or texting me! And I don't mind being that accessible!


What's interesting, though, is how comfortable we can feel behind those electronic facades. It's amazing how courageous I feel via email. I will say things in emails that I wouldn't have the guts to say in person. Sometimes honest emails can spur good face to face interactions. Other times, email is used as a way to disappoint, without having to face the music of being the one who disappointed. Hence the phrase, cyber courage.


I have known of many cyber courage incidents. I have a friend that openly shares her feelings about personal topics via email, but is a clam when talking in person. I have friends who received text messages to break dates. I even know someone who received a "Dear John" letter via text message.


I am no fan of confrontation. I avoid it like the plague. Sometimes I am afraid that I'll upset someone if I can't fulfill an expectation. And sometimes I don't want to deal with that feeling. I know I am not alone in this! Perhaps that is what makes cyber courage so attractive.


Merriam-Webster online defines "courage" as : mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. Another definition given for "courage" is a quality of spirit that enables you to face danger or pain without showing fear. It seems that the definition of courage involves enduring, withstanding, and facing...not sending emails, im's and text messages! So perhaps, cyber "courage" is not really courage at all!


Yet we believe that cyber courage allows us to truly be "ourselves" and say whatever we want, without regard to others, because somehow out of sight is out of mind. So, the next time you send a raging email, ask yourself, would I say these things face to face, or am I succombing, again, to cyber pseudo-courage!

The Best Medicine

So, for those of you who don't know this about me, I don't really like taking medicine. Well, doctor prescribed medicine, I'm okay with. But I'm kinda weird about taking over the counter meds for headaches and such. (I'm kinda weird for other reasons too, I'm sure, but today we're only discussing this reason!) I usually won't take OTC meds until my head hurts so badly that I'm afraid my eyes will stay crossed permanently.

But I am into laughing. I love to laugh and I have a loud one. In fact, when I was little, I thought it would be fun to be a professional laugher. To team up with a comedian, and go on the road with them. I would be the "laughing plant" in the audience. During the comedian's routine, I would start chuckling at just the right moments, and my laughter would cue those around me to laugh as well. Somedays that still sounds like the best career idea I've had!

In the past few years, there have been many scientists researching the benefits of laughter. And apparently, there are quite a few. "Experts" say that laughing on a regular basis can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, improve brain functioning, and protect our heart.

So, if you are like me, and don't like taking Advil for every ache and pain, maybe you will feel better from taking a dose of the best medicine...laughter.

Knock, knock

Who's there?





Isn't that what you always want to know when someone rings your doorbell or knocks on your door? Who is at your door, asking to come in? I'm the type who feels really guilty if I don't open the door for somebody. It doesn't matter if it's the crazy neighbor lady, or the girls selling cookie dough, or the Jehovah's Witness trying to convert me, I always feel guilty for not answering the door. That doesn't mean I answer the door! I only mean, that I will look to see who it is and then if I don't want the interruption, I stand very, very quietly so they won't know that someone is actually home...all the while I'm peeking out at them through the peep hole!



Imagine inviting someone over to your house for dinner. And then as you are preparing the table and getting things ready, the doorbell rings. You are so busy preparing the final parts of the meal, that you ignore the doorbell. The guest rings the doorbell again, yet you continue to rush around getting things ready and fail to open the door. Finally the food is all prepared, the table is set, and you are ready to eat. But where is your guest? The anger starts to churn inside you...I asked him to come, I got everything ready for him, and he never came! I'm not inviting him over anymore, you think to yourself. Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? The guest was there, he rang the doorbell. But it's the hosts job to answer the door. Inviting someone over is not enough, preparing for their arrival is not enough, we have to actually open the door to enjoy their company.



As obvious as this sounds using the above example, how many times do we do that to God? We ask God to give us directions, or help us to be more patient, or give us peace and comfort. And He gives us opportunities, or wants to teach us or show us things, but we are scurrying around and don't really let Him in. We get scared that we may have to change something in our lives that we are comfortable with, so we ignore Him. And then we get mad, because He never "showed up."



Revelation 3:19-21 says, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne."



According to this Scripture, it is not enough to hear God's voice. We have to open the door. I know it can be frightening and uncomfortable to open the door. I know it can be easier and feel safer behind that door. But we can trust God. He wants to come in and eat with us, but it's our responsibility to open the door.

It's the thought that counts...right?

Okay, so I'm refraining from using the phrase, "It's the thought that counts."

I was thinking about this the other day. How often do we want to do something nice for someone but get side tracked? We meant to send them a card, we thought about it, but then used our time in another way. Then the next time we see that person, we say, "Oh, I was going to send you a card, but I (fill in the excuse here)." The other person responds with, "It's okay, it's the thought that counts." I agree that we need to be thinking and praying for people, but it can't stop there.

In Matthew 25:34-40, Jesus blesses those who feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, show hospitality, clothe the needy, take care of the sick and visit the imprisoned. Jesus goes on and says that we are serving God as we serve others.

Jesus didn't say that we are blessed because we "thought" about feeding or serving others. He blesses those who thought about serving others, and finish that thought through action: sacrificing their time, energy, and other resources to serve others.

In 2009, I'm committing myself to be more intentional in how I give of my life. I want to serve others, not just in word, but in action as well!

From Stalker to Blogger

So, I'm not really a blogger. I actually think blogs are a little arrogant...the thought that someone would want to read someone's ramblings seems a little precocious! Yet, I do find myself reading others' blogs. I even read blogs of people I don't personally know. You know, I'll read my friend's blog and then decide to click on the blogs that are linked from their site. I guess I would be called a blog stalker! So, from one blog stalker to another, welcome to my blog!