If I had said, “I will speak thus,” I would have betrayed your children (Psalm 73:15).

People are watching.

No, I’m not talking about Creepy McCreeperson stalker types, although you may have to deal with them, as well.  

That’s what you get for being so darn cute.

Once upon a many years ago, I worked the graveyard shift at a grocery store.  I stocked shelves, unloaded trucks, and tried to avoid the tobacco juice my chawing, dipping coworkers left here and there.  One night, in a fit of idiocy, I ran over my own foot with a pallet jack piled high with cases of soup.  There was a sort of popping sensation in my big toe, and then everything started to feel moist and squishy.  My coworkers were not Christians, but they knew that I was.  

Pay attention to that part; it’s important.

The guys were watching to see how I would react to the pain.  They wanted to see if I was going to swear.  The fact that I didn’t, that I kept my composure, made a big impression on them.

(note: Just so you know, my stoicism did not come entirely from a deep level of spirituality.  I was verging on shock and could barely speak my own name.  Besides, one of the guys offered to swear “for me,” and proceeded to scream profanity at the top of his lungs on my behalf.  Kinda ruined the spiritual lesson.)

Get to the point, Michael.

OK, how about this: People are watching you to see if this God stuff is for real.  I’m not saying you shouldn’t be honest about your pain and fear and weakness; I’m saying that how you act and react reflects your relationship with God.

It’s called being a witness, Beloved.

So, you know, be a good one.

Happy Tuesday