I was browsing in a Bible bookstore today looking for a translation of the Bible. It was a pleasant atmosphere to be in. The single employee in the store was very gracious, helpful and in good spirits. I was in a very good mood too, enjoying a few moments of free time. A recording of a man reading from the Bible played over the audio system. It was a peaceful place to be.
In walks a woman who is looking for a particular book that she cannot find. The store does not have it in stock, but can order it. Well, that wasn’t good enough. She didn’t understand why it wasn’t on the shelf right then so she could look at it. And out came complaint after complaint. Her disgruntled voice filled the shopping area, and I had to start loving this woman to stop myself from thinking negative thoughts about her!
I was not too successful at first because I was impressed by the unfairness of her critical comments.
I wondered if she really could consider herself a Christian…oops…not a nice thought! I’m sure she did. So, I prayed that the condemnation would quickly stop and she could find something good to be grateful for.
The criticism did not cease. It grew worse. Soon she was criticizing the whole store and stating how disappointed she was in finding gifts for sale in a Bible store…and so on… The barrage didn’t stop until she left the premises.
I did not let my thinking fall to a low level. I quickly started loving her as a child of God, and knew she had the capacity to see the good, and I mentally followed her out the door with a blessing.
After she left, though, I couldn’t help but notice how ugly complaints can be. The store had been a very nice amiable atmosphere of thought before this woman entered. In she came with her complaining attitude, and the store rapidly went from being a very pleasant atmosphere to making you want to run for the door.
In Christian Science, one learns not to “run for the door,” but to love more and take the higher road of demonstrating dominion over dark bleak attitudes. And by relying upon the power of divine Love to back up one’s positive position, it’s possible to send the complaining attitude running for the door, instead of the good thought feeling like it has to leave. I suppose that is what happened to a degree. The woman left and all returned to harmony.
But I’m going to practice complaining less from now on! I don’t know how much I do, but I probably have room for improvement. From watching this woman, I see clearly that it’s not a pretty picture to be seen as a complainer! It’s a lot more favorable to be one voicing gratitude and goodwill.
So true! Thanks for this story. I’ll be watching my thought and words as well.
Hi Evan – On another note, are you familiar with the Bible programs on CD? I have Power Bible and Online Bible which have EVERY Bible and every commentary all with the click of a mouse. You can get the original meanings of words in a flash and it makes the lesson really come to life [even more so] It helps if you are a Reader too.
All the best,
Shelley
Hi Shelley,
No, I don’t have those CDs. I’ll check them out. I’ve had a hard time finding a good Bible software program that includes many translations and is easy to use.
Thx,
Take the challenge for one day………
I find reading the New Testament to be a new, and wonderful and amazing to read. This is because I consider the ideas shared metaphysically. Rather than taking them literally, I consider the spiritual truths behind the writings. For example
8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth I Corinthians 5:8
In this verse, I realized that the feast represents the day, today, that we are experiencing. And the two kinds of bread (leaven bread & unleavened bread) are the thoughts we feed our minds.
The one kind of thoughts is of malice for others while the unleavened bread is thoughts of sincerity for others.
The new approach suggested to daily living is finding a way to think in only the kindest of terms of all we meet. This can be work, mentally, if we are not in the habit of seeing others as a reflection of God and His best idea.
While others may have forgotten their true divine identity, yet we can still be mindful of this reality. The lazy thinker will simply react to others as they appear on the surface.
So here is the challenge………….. Eat only of the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth in all our dealings with others. Be mindful of others in the kindest of thoughts and without malice. And when you retire to bed that night, let this thought rest in your mind.
His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.
Matt 25:21
Woody
Mmmm. I’ve had similar experiences myself, where I’ve noticed someone else’s behaviour and thought it wasn’t very pleasant, and often that’s helped me to change my own behaviour.
I also know though that when I’m not behaving well I’d prefer to not be judged or made an example of. Usually it means I’m struggling with something, that I’m in pain, overloaded…
Nearly every Bible is offered free online and also all the reference books such as Strong’s numbers, etc.
I have a huge library of Bibles and reference books, but I go online more now, because I can copy and paste into word files on various subjects of study vs. having to re-type it.
I’m currently thinking of getting a Kindle, but I’m not sure how much is offered yet. It would be nice to have it all at hand, including my underlining, if not my notes.
Of course, when I began to collect my library, I didn’t realize I’d run out of space, and that it would be so readily available for free. With the Kindle, I’d have to rebuy it all again.