A little behind the times.

I am just now reading The Shack. I know, I'm late. The Shack #2 is probably already out by now. Or maybe even The Mansion.

A couple of friends have asked me how I'm liking it. I've said, ok. Yes, it's good. Rocking my world? No, but definitely entertaining. Am I missing something?? I almost NEVER "get it" with The Books. You know, The Books, the ones everyone is reading and it is chaging their whole perspective on life? I try to get it. I want to be a cool book person that "gets it" then goes to Starbucks to sip warm coffee and talk about how much I get it with other cool book people who also get it. I, on the other hand, start reading a book and begin questioning everything I'm reading, entirely missing the point.
Someone once told me it was discernment. I believe it is more like major distraction.

Back to The Shack, there I was, reading away a couple of nights ago, admiring his writing ability greatly but not expecting to "get it" when I got something. Wowza. I nearly fell out of bed.

A description of a concept most of us seem to struggle with ALL THE TIME was there staring out at me through the pages: Our rights.

Oh my goodness, those "rights" of ours. The tighter we cling to them, the more easily offended we will be. The more easily offended we are the more sensitive we will be. The more sensitive we are the less mercy, grace, longsuffering, kindness, benevolence, gentleness we will be capable of extending to others.

How many times does our perception of our rights being infringed upon get us into conflict, hurt feelings, relational turmoil? How often does someone do something to us, something we felt they had no right to do and we are then angry, disturbed, annoyed? How many times are wedges driven into relationships with loved ones or friends, acquaintences or even strangers because of our desire to hold fast to our rights?

You cut me off in traffic? You had no right.
You judged me? You had no right.
You said something unpleasant to me? You had no right.
You plugged your ears and yelled an explicative right in front of everyone because my child was screaming at the grocery store? You had no right.
You overreacted to something? You had no right.
You won't acknowledge your own errors/indiscretions/infractions? You have no right.
You called me to sell something during dinner? You had no right.
You sent me an e mail I didn't appreciate? You have no right.
You don't think like I do? You have no right.
You don't see things the way I do? You have no right.
You tell me I'm foolish to home school? You have no right.
You think it's misguided to adopt from Africa? You have no right.
You embarrassed me? You had no right.
You didn't treat me the way I expect to be treated? You had no right.
You complain about the nutritious and *delicious* meal I prepared for you? You have no right.

I have the right to......be married to this kind of person....have these type of (cute and obedient, healthy, living) children....this kind of house, entertainment, enjoyment, recreation, career, to have what she has, to hear you say you're sorry for what you've done to me.....
Really? What do I really have the RIGHT to? It's rather unpleasant to think about what I truly deserve.
(Ok, yes, some of these are obviously pulled from personal experience. You can guess which. ;)

How about this one, as we look up into the sky?
You allowed me to experience this kind of pain, devastation, loss, heartbreak? You had no right.

If I were able to let go of some of my perceived rights, how would that rock my world? Just let them go.....
If I learn to grow up, gain maturity and security, begin to simply absorb more, ask for less, allow others to be themselves more, forgive easier, hold onto less.....how much more free would I be? How much greater could my life point to my gracious Father if I begin to demonstrate more patience and compassion with others who have violated my "rights?"

What if I began to really pray for my enemies, sincerely, every single day? To turn the other cheek? Offer my cloak? Bless those who curse me? Render good for evil? Be kind to the unthankful and evil? Forgive 70x7 times? Truly esteem others before myself?
What if I actually made a habit of treating people how Scripture tells me to rather than being concerned about 'protecting' my own rights?
Seriously, this could be oh so right.
I only ask now, please don't send me e mails about how we have to watch out for other people taking advantage of us and we must draw necessary boundaries etc......You have no right to mistake what I am trying to communicate on my very own blog :) If you do send along an e mail like that, I will pray for you. Bless you, bless you.