Word from Wiese

Sticks and Stones

Sticks and Stones

Word from Wiese

9 August 2023

“Sticks and stones may break my bones. But words can never hurt me.”

How many of us have tried to use that adage of encouragement to endure some tough times?   Or to instruct our children?  We all probably remember how rough it can be growing up.  We remember when we’ve been on the receiving end of some name calling.   And even though our parents lovingly tried to spray some anti-negativity Teflon on us to endure, we still learned the rough lesson of life:  name calling and negative accusations indeed can hurt us.  Hurt us badly.

Enduring name-calling or gossip, or the temptation to join the instigators, can be hazards for school children.  Unfortunately, they’re potential hazards for any human being at any age.   As baptized family members of Jesus, on one hand, we’re called to make ourselves vulnerable, follow Jesus’ example, as we reach out to all kinds of people.  Yet, healthy boundaries are not only fair but necessary for our ongoing health.   We all remember the old teaching metaphor from airline travel, “when using oxygen masks, please breathe in yourself before attending to others.”   Same applies for faithful citizenry in God’s kingdom.  It’s OK to take steps for ongoing self-care, so we can be healthy for long-term service toward Jesus’ agenda.

At our staff meeting last week, Interim Director of Youth & Family, Shelly Jakubowski, shared in her staff devotions the screen shots from the following Twitter video.  Each one is Scripture-inspired.   Each one encourages young people, and perhaps all of us at any age, to consider what “rules of engagement” should guide us as we try to love God by loving all kinds of our neighbors.

Take a look.  What do you think?   Which ones do you agree with and why?  With which ones might you take issue?

In Christ’s hope,

Pastor Fritz

Let us pray: 

Dear God, help us respect others so much that we make ourselves vulnerable in reaching out to our neighbors.  Likewise, guide us in simultaneously respecting ourselves enough that we take healthy steps when some neighbors are abusive or potentially damaging.   In Jesus’ name, Amen.