Sunburn..

…”Never tell a man that he is sunburned - he knows“…

I don’t know anyone over a certain age that hasn’t experienced the stinging afterglow of a day well spent in the sun. We sometimes don’t realize that its gift is upon us until its way past the time to do anything about it , but make no mistake - we are ALWAYS fully aware once it has set in and need NO reminding of it… The ever present burn and tingle just below the skin is a more than adequate reminder of our oversight or carelessness … But trust - Someone is going to inform you at least once more , and you’ll be forced yet again to bite your tongue..

Don’t misunderstand me - Sometimes people don’t know that they are getting burned ,like I said -we sometimes don’t realize its upon us and a kind word of warning could spare us unnecessary pain later.. But sadly most wont say anything because “they dont feel it’s their place”. These same people are usually the ones after the fact who have NO problem reciting the already painfully obvious -“uh , you have a sunburn!”…

Yup - thank you , where were you when I needed you ?..

My point is this - Most of us are PAINFULLY aware of our shortcomings ,our flaws and of course - our mistakes. These 3 live together in the culmination of our past ,present and contribute to the shaping of our future . They , like a sunburn - reside just under the skin making them easily accessible and easily irritated .

Our flaws and shortcomings live in the front of the mind because we deal with them on a day to day basis. There is a constant battle between the acceptance of them , and the desire to correct or eliminate them . Never really knowing the victor of the day , we only have our past to use as a gauge to see if we are really “improving”…But our past is another battle altogether , and by making judgments about someone BECAUSE of their past -will keep them there in that moment and make the daily battle of progression a losing one..

Don’t judge for what they USED to do ,but rather make judgements about what they do NOW - after all , if our past is forgiven , what say do you have in it?.. However , being present for someone in the “now” is where the difference could be made in this battle…

Coming to terms with who we “used to be” , “who we are” and “who we want to be” is more than daily battle - It’s a war fought over the course of a lifetime.

It’s a war that rages on the very fringes of your mind body and soul ..and at times as it takes it toll - hopelessness sets in . During these times we find ourselves exposed and vulnerable ,like a turtle on its back. Reverting back to “who we used to be” becomes more and more attractive as the uncomfortable waters of “who we want to be” have become too tumultuous to continue on . Caught in a moment of weakness - we jump ship only to find the decision to be one of those times where a kind word of warning would have been warmly welcomed as opposed to the current predicament… An after battling the hostile waves of a mistake to make our way back into the boat , pointing out that we have a Sunburn is NOT a welcomed nor appreciated observation.. Again , Where were you when I needed you ?

1 Thessalonians 5:1 says ” There for encourage one another and strengthen one another ,just as you are doing.” - Is that too much to ask?

You never know what someone is going through - so pay attention. A cry for help isn’t always a scream from the edge of a boat. Sometimes , its a subtle look from screaming eyes begging you to ask “what can I do?”…and in an instant , you could help prevent the oversight of a desperate soul by simply offering a kind word of warning or encouragement …

If you are a friend , it IS your place … Offer some shade .. or at a minimum - some SunScreen.

The Invitation to Study the Bible is STILL open.. ;)

Read Psalm 86:7