Wednesday, January 31, 2007

Love and the NRA

I don't go to church regularly. Shhh! don't tell the nuns. But last weekend I went to a quilt show some distance away, and stayed overnight with good friends. Friends who go to church. So I went too. When I occasionally go, it's like slipping into an old and comfortable pair of slippers. They know me. They're molded to the shape of my feet. And I know them. The responses come effortlessly to my lips, the hymns roll smoothly off my tongue. So why don't I go every week, you ask? Thereby hangs a tale, or a blog, or two, for another day. I never expected to become a person who doesn't go to church. But life has a way of turning out other than how you imagined. In more ways than one.

The reading for the day was from Corinthians.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, does not boast, is not proud. It is not rude or self seeking, nor easily angered, and keeps no record of wrongs.........."

I was glad I'd come. I've always liked those words. They lingered, like the taste of a fine wine, as I drove homeward. Comforting words. Words to inspire one to aim high. Until reality intrudes. The reality that love is not always patient, or kind, and is sometimes rude and quick to fly off the handle.............but wait! There's been a mistake. Because that wouldn't even be love then, would it?


And while we're on the subject. I was driving along today behind an SUV. I squinted to read his bumper sticker. It said "NRA* --- Sportsmen for Crist**". My mind immediately conjured up a picture of a handsome, bearded man, with soulful eyes, Biblically attired, who instead of a shepherd's hook, had a rifle slung on His shoulder. But then I noticed there was no "H". Truly an Emily Latella moment. Never mind.

Another day recently I was behind a cop. His bumper sticker advised me to "Smile. I could be behind you." So I did. Because I'm an agreeable person. And because it's comforting to know those guys have a sense of humor.

*NRA stands for National Rifle Association.
**Charlie Crist is the newly elected governor of Florida.

7 comments:

meggie said...

Molly, you dont post enough! Always enjoy your thoughts.

We once read a book called The Ugly Face of Love, by Gerald Kirsch. It was such a good book, I would love to get a copy again to re-read it.
Love is not always gentle & kind, I agree.

Becky in FL said...

I like your sense of humor!

I do think that love is always gentle and kind. Things that aren't may be done in the name of love, but I have a hard time thinking that love itself can be otherwise. I'll have to consider this.

Good post.

Kelli said...

that bumper sticker you saw on the cops car is hilarious! I love it.

velcro said...

I love the police car sticker!

Stomper Girl said...

Me too, lovelovelove the police sticker.

RE the NRA sticker. The one that gives me the irrits is the one that reads "I [insert chosen activity here eg, shoot, fish, knit] and I vote."

I understand the point they're trying to make, but in Australia, voting is COMPULSORY. So shut up, okay, all you Australian shooters, fishers, whatever. WE.ALL.VOTE!

[end rant]

Anonymous said...

The head of our local police department in the small town i live in has a bumper sticker that says "BAD COP, NO DONUT"... but he posts it in the office, not on his patrol SUV... :-}

Anonymous said...

The head of our local police department in the small town i live in has a bumper sticker that says "BAD COP, NO DONUT"... but he posts it in the office, not on his patrol SUV... :-}
Love is great, but in the long run it's patience, strength, persistence and a kind word that make it all work.