Connective Thinking That Lead to a Challenge

I am not sure why I was just standing in my kitchen making coffee when I started thinking back on a conversation I had with my neighbor below me a few weeks back. Must be my woman's brain and how all strings connect from one event to another.

Anyway, I was thinking how today is a little brighter outside yet still cloudy and how even though we have horrible single pane windows I might open up the blinds to let some light in. I am one that loves natural light. I can't stand when it's dark and the lights in the house are on. Here at least. They all have this yellow hue and it drives me crazy, but I also can't stand all day with the blinds close. Even though I know that it will rack my heating bill up. I have to open the blinds for a little bit.

Where am I going with this???? Bear with me for a second.

So while I was getting my coffee pot ready I started thinking how I wanted to go around and open the blinds, and my thoughts drifted to my neighbor downstairs {or any of them really} that NEVER... seriously never... have their blinds open. I always wonder why. Don't they want God's wonder creation of light to come wafting through their homes. I think  it makes the whole feel of your house better. Just my opinion. Anyway, my neighbor made mention how last year he didn't want to open his blinds at all because his wall heaters didn't work and how stinkin' cold it was in his apartment.

I had NO idea!!!

I just thought they either a.) had some special secret in keeping their place nice and toasty all winter or b.) they didn't like "letting anyone see inside." Does that make sense?

Nope it was none of those. He was simply trying to keep what little heat they could get from the electric fireplace and other wall heaters in... not wanting it to escape. I made the wrong assumptions about what was going on well because I had never really thought to ask. I thought I knew them. Does that make sense?

What's weird about where this line of thinking and conversation took me was to the question...

How can you really know something about someone if you don't ask? Ask to know why they may have a strong dislike opinion about a certain place or subject. It might not be because they are just hateful. Maybe something bad happened there or regarding that subject and they would rather not be associated or hear about that place. Maybe instead of assuming that you "know" someone ask them. Find out their story. Maybe just maybe the day you ask you... YOU... will be blessed by what they have to share. Maybe you will bless them by asking.

I have a lot of people at church who seem to walk past or purposefully seem to zoom past me on Sunday mornings with the appearance and attitude that they want nothing to do with me. That they are better than me. I have no idea what I have ever done or said wrong to these people, yet they don't seem to want to give me or my family the time of day unless we for some reason are smacked into a corner with them. Let me tell you it gets uncomfortable. I am feeling though that maybe God is wanting me to ask... what have I ever done??? If I send a homeschooling question email sure they answer, but a couple days later when they see you face to face you don't even get a hi out of them.

I am feeling convicted by this line of connective thinking that seems to have taken residence in my brain this morning. Maybe I am assuming the wrong thing by their actions towards me and my family. Maybe I'm not. By confronting or asking them I could help clear the air or at least have an understanding why they may be acting this way towards us. I have always felt rubbed wrong or not good enough when around them. I think God is laying this on my heart to try to find the answer. Clear the air. Learn someone else's story. I however am not sure how to start this. Sunday mornings are hustle and bustle sometimes around church, yet email seems so impersonal. If you know what I mean. Maybe I need to tackle a little bit of both?

I really need to pray about this and search my heart for God's answer. The one I know for a fact will come. In his timing... His way! I need to pray to be open to this no matter how uncomfortable it may make me.

So why all of this???

I want to challenge you to ask someone their story. Everyone has one. Ask someone if you have offended them. If you are feeling like you are getting the cold shoulder from someone... ask them why that may be. People you interact with... people you pass in church... Get to know someone. Hear them out. Ask their testimony or share yours with them.

You never know. You could bless someone or in turn YOU could be the one that is blessed.