Lately my attention was called to the fact that several have asked questions about me. I debated strongly whether to address the questions, or if it would be best to just let them lie. As I write this, I’m still conflicted, but will post my answers in an attempt to allay any concerns that you may have. If you, the loyal reader, are one of those who have felt it proper to ask these questions, then here are your answers, directly from me. If you know someone who would like to read these answers, I ask that you share the web address with them, or print this and share it. Furthermore, I am fully willing and eager to engage further discussion with you, and I invite you to contact me directly to continue the conversation. You can find a link to my email in the “comment” section at the end of this blog.
In constructing this posting, I have made every effort to avoid the opportunity, or even the appearance, that I’m casting stones or making others look inferior or bad. That is absolutely not my intention. Additionally, while my replies may seem dismissive of your concerns, they are not intended to be. It is difficult, though, to restrain the sharpness of some of the answers, and I trust that if you were in a similar situation you would understand.
What does concern me, though, is the fact that these questions have been posed to others. Why not come to me directly? I take no offense in your inquisitiveness. I do, however, take offense in that the nature of the questions presuppose that I am supposed to behave or conform to some intangible set of norms of which I am not aware.
Before you read the remainder of this posting, I would invite you to read my previous posts entitled Marhaba, I will give you rest, The Masquerade, and Finishing from Earlier. They will give you some background and insight into my line of thinking.
1. Why did he move back here?
I came back to Indianola for several reasons. First and foremost, I came back so I could be close to my son. Seventy miles of separation made it extremely difficult for me to fulfill any of my responsibilities as a father, not to mention the emotional toll it was taking on both of us. We could not exercise an appropriate relationship at such a distance. Secondly, Indianola has been “home” for about one-third of my life, and I have no desire to re-establish myself in a new area.
2. I thought they weren’t seeing each other any more?
I did not seek divorce. In fact, I sought reconciliation, but it was not forthcoming. I am a now single person, and am free to pursue any relationship that I may desire.
3. Why do they still come to church here?
Psalm 122:1 says “I rejoiced with those who said to me, let us go into the house of the LORD” … FBC Indianola has, like the town, been my “home” for about a third of my life. It is where I choose to worship. I am comfortable here, I enjoy the fellowship, and the family that our church is. I maintain my membership and attend there for one purpose – to worship. I’m not there to see or be seen. It is as much my church as it is yours, a place where I’m comfortable and feel welcomed and loved.
4. Do they not realize the pain they are still causing?
How can I still “cause pain” when I have confessed my transgression before God and man? It is my understanding that I have forgiveness, that my sins are remembered no more. How can I still “cause pain”, then, unless there are those who have not forgiven? What power do I have to ease your pain? Is not God’s forgiveness sufficient cause for you to forgive also?
5. Why do they parade around like they haven’t done anything wrong?
This question implies that I have been flaunting or forcing something upon someone. This question also implies that there exists a great deal of variance in perceptions. I do not perceive that I have flaunted or “paraded” in any way, save that I know where I stand as a forgiven Christian.
Jeremiah 9: 23 This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, 24 but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight," declares the LORD
2 Corinthians 12: 8Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. 10That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Ephesians 2: 8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— 9not by works, so that no one can boast. 10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
If I am parading/flaunting/boasting...it is in the full knowledge that although I committed a grievous sin and error, I am forgiven by the ONE, the Alpha and the Omega. Rejoice with me in that!
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