There are some really odd places where I have been inspired to write in this blog. For this entry, it happened to be some reruns of The Real Housewives of Orange County. I was watching an episode where Vicky and one of the other housewives were on a yacht. The other housewife was enjoying her husband while Vicky was trying to be a comedienne for the camera. In doing so, this meant that she continually degraded her husband. Her guests were obviously embarrassed and felt sorry her husband. I know I did. He did what he could to save face and continued with their trip. Every now and again, the other housewife and her husband would steal kisses in private and would always have some physical contact with each other. Vicky noticed this and started to complain. She actually complained throughout the entire trip. When she wasn't getting enough attention she decided to take the few moments the other housewife was having with her husband and come and be, what I would think is, a pest. For some reason, she thinks this is normal behavior. Her husband is left to have a conversation with the maitre'D, the ship's captain, the steward, anybody else but his wife, Vicky. I have watched this series off and on and at the end of each season Vicky makes this declaration to be different, easier to get along with, closer to her friends, and has even coerced her husband to renew their martial vows. Why does it seem coerced? He just looks so unhappy.
Towards the middle of this particular episode on the yacht, Vicky, in her narrative portion, states that she is empty and she doesn't believe her husband could fill her love tank. She then starts to cry - twice. I don't know if she realizes that every time she does this, her husband, family, and friends sees all of this stuff and it cannot be taken back. Once those words are spoken in film, it is up to the director and producers what will be aired for the entire world to see. From what was aired, she didn't take the time to tell her husband, get some therapy, or make the decision as her fellow housewife did, to leave the show and work on the marriage and family. Her excuse was, she and her husband works hard for what they have and they love it. Fine, then you cannot complain! Is it a wonder that the next season, Vicky orchestrates a vacation for all of the other housewives and wanting for all of their husbands to stay at home. She tells her husband he is not invited. He was looking forward to going with her. He says so. Aggravated is a pale description of how Vicky acts when she sees that the other housewives bring their husbands along. And why? Because they love and reverence them! Vicky pouts.
What really interested me about the episode with Vicky and her friends was her sincerity with why she wasn't getting out of the marriage of what she assumes should come from nothing. What do we have for free? The only thing I know of is God's mercy and grace (Acts 15:11 AMP). With everything else there has to be some effort. Even with salvation we must speak the words to get it and believe in our hearts (Romans 10:10 KJV). I was amazed how this grown woman expected her husband to keep giving and giving in spite of how she was treating him. This use to be the behavior of men back in the day when they had it all and thought if they didn't get it from their wives, they will go and get it from someone else. It is no different. Back then the men didn't get what they asked for because they cannot get something from nothing. There has to be a deposit put in from someone in order to get something back.
The Word tells us this all of the time. A seed has to be sown in order for there to be a harvest. If love was never taught, it cannot be expected (1 Corinthians 13:3-10 AMP). If there were no kind words spoken, how can there be annoyance if kind words are not retrieved? There are times when a marriage hits a wall and it seems the only answer is to leave and start all over again. This would be a mistake. You are the same person leaving the marriage as you are starting a new one. To think the failure or the boredom or the monotony or the extreme aggression has gone just because you are in a new relationship is foolishness. There were two people in that marriage that had become one. It is written. That reason the two became one is that there was an agreement to get married. There had to be some point where in the relationship there was something common that made the two join. That common place is the glue. Agreement was continual when there was support for the other in discussions, with other people, and in creating a family. Arguments that can arise doesn't remove that common place. Therefore the common thing the two of you shared, you are now taking to a new relationship. Did that common thing have baggage attached to it? Did the common place have childhood issues lingering, hurt feelings, fear of rejection, regret, other phobias, manias, obsessions, jealousies grabbing on for dear life? Many still think its life and we all have to deal with it the best we know how. That would be error. In choosing life, we allow God to do what He does and we do not give place to the enemy. The enemy has no life and wishes to snuff out yours.
This is where that feeling of emptiness comes from. The Word tells us not to give place to the devil and yet, when the consideration of turmoil comes about, we call it life and its issues. Life has no issues. It is problem free! Problems arise when the acknowledgement of our Creator has not taken place (Philippians 2:13 AMP). Vicky's viewpoint could be the influence of the producers telling her that she is the "spice" that keeps the show alive when all they are concerned with is keeping the ratings up. The housewives have seen the problems in their lives and while they could remain on the show and receive a paycheck, it is clear where their priorities are. Vicky is the only original housewife left. From a drug addicted child in and out of jail to the down sizing of the family's residence because of the economy, the other women could not allow their families to be torn apart just to keep the fans happy. Vicky remains on the show. Her husband is rarely shown, yet she is not a housewife without him (Proverbs 14:1 AMP).
The devil comes to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10 AMP). Emptiness is his playground. It is the evidence that he has been there. To speak emptiness is the graffiti that the devil has left on that wall. God says, they that thirst after righteousness shall be filled (Matthew 5:6 KJV). What say you? Made any deposits lately? What have you sown (Galatians 6:7 KJV)? Surprised at your harvest?
Showing posts with label sowing seed. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sowing seed. Show all posts
Monday, July 18, 2011
Monday, August 9, 2010
FarmTown (c)
I opened an account with Facebook(C)about a year ago for purposes completely void of playing games. Eventually I got into some of them and others I didn't see the amusement in. However, there is a game that I believe is so closely related to the bible, I became fascinated with the dynamics of it.
Let me first explain why I chose this topic to write about. I am employed to work in a senior community that is predominant in a particular ethnicity. Though I have a college education, the position doesn't require one and therefore there are many preconceived notions not only because of my position but ethnicity as well. I have worked with a variety of nationalities and am not one to sterotype people because of how it feels when it is done to me. With this in mind, picture it: I was sitting in a common area using the computer when the maintenance guy said that he had to clean the room for a meeting. I then started to finish what I was doing on the computer to leave. The women from the same company that I am employed started coming in for the meeting with files and various materials in hand. They spoke to each other when entering the room but said nothing to me. They are very aware that I work for the same company or they would have said something about me being in that room using the computer. But they said nothing. Not even a good morning. I was offended and left so they could have their meeting.
Earlier in the month, the company hired a new social worker. She does the same work I went to school to do. She was introduced to all of the other employees in the building, including myself. Though there were many who interviewed for the job, she obtained it because of her familiarity with the nationality and their observances. As racist as that may have sounded - it is what the administrator said to me. Be as it may, a few weeks into the job, I noticed this same woman only speaking to certain people and not others. While in the small office area, about to start my shift, the new social worker was also in the office speaking to the receptionist. When she was finished, the receptionist said hello and the new social worker said nothing. I said hello, and still not one word. I then stood in her face and resonated my voice. She immediately turned red and spoke. She heard me the first time. Why did I have to go through embarrassing her for her to be civil?
In a meeting that I was apart of where we discussed the residents in the building, with my position there isn't a whole lot to be said. But because of my training, I can spot domestic violence when others wouldn't really notice it much. I brought the subject up to the new social worker only after giving her a brief synapse of my resume. It became quiet and she said if she and I could speak in her office. After that day, it was apparent that my other co-workers forgot that my employment here isn't because it was all I could do. The mood was different and I was treated with respect that I didn't realize was absent from them.
This dynamic with people has also been found virtually as well. We don't see each other (just a personally created avatar) in this game of FarmTown, nevertheless the abilities and attitudes of our environment, genetics, and stereotypes seem to follow no matter what others may think. Those that have achieved a certain status in the game, when they hire workers they aren't as forth coming to speak. They only wish for the worker to get the job done and move on. The worker could have a PhD but who would know that? I have achieved a certain status and have hired people on my farm as well. I speak to them but when they see my farm, they aren't very talkative. I had a woman work for me in the several businesses that I have. She just looked at how I designed my farm and commented on it. Funny, both of us were cordial to one another, she wouldn't extend her conversation any farther then vague information. This was not the case when I began the game and at the beginner's levels.
Now where does the Word fit in this? To be meek and humble (Matthew 5:5 KJV) is a decision as with obtaining life as opposed to death (Proverbs 18:21 NKJV); however, when we make up our minds to be ourselves with people no matter what the status, this comes from the Word as well (James 2:2-4 KJV). The problem is, once achieving a certain level of social or financial status, we can't help but behave and speak differently from those who have not. The Word says, let the Words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and redeemer (Psalm 19:14 KJV). Well, isn't it obvious that people with a higher social and financial status had a different vision than someone on a lesser level. With a different vision comes a different language - doesn't it? Tycoons don't hem and haw, they get the job completed. It is obvious in real life, as I depicted here and in a virtual game where people don't know where you are from, the color of your skin, or the gender unless you tell them. How could I be offended with them being so rude? They see me at a specific age doing a job that doesn't require a college education. True, they are assuming, but wouldn't you?
Personally in the game, I don't hire as many people as I used to. The men wouldn't complete the task and the women started to get uppity. By that I mean, if I hired more than just the one woman, she would pitch a fit for her to do the job herself or she would leave without completing what I hired her for. For myself, I don't usually accept jobs from other farmers unless I am trying to increase my level. I have more than enough money to do whatever it is that I need to do. Even in the game, it feels good.
The working on the farm with the plowing, sowing seed and harvesting to get to where you are trying to go is just a life lesson for a Christian all the way around. See what God says to you.
Let me first explain why I chose this topic to write about. I am employed to work in a senior community that is predominant in a particular ethnicity. Though I have a college education, the position doesn't require one and therefore there are many preconceived notions not only because of my position but ethnicity as well. I have worked with a variety of nationalities and am not one to sterotype people because of how it feels when it is done to me. With this in mind, picture it: I was sitting in a common area using the computer when the maintenance guy said that he had to clean the room for a meeting. I then started to finish what I was doing on the computer to leave. The women from the same company that I am employed started coming in for the meeting with files and various materials in hand. They spoke to each other when entering the room but said nothing to me. They are very aware that I work for the same company or they would have said something about me being in that room using the computer. But they said nothing. Not even a good morning. I was offended and left so they could have their meeting.
Earlier in the month, the company hired a new social worker. She does the same work I went to school to do. She was introduced to all of the other employees in the building, including myself. Though there were many who interviewed for the job, she obtained it because of her familiarity with the nationality and their observances. As racist as that may have sounded - it is what the administrator said to me. Be as it may, a few weeks into the job, I noticed this same woman only speaking to certain people and not others. While in the small office area, about to start my shift, the new social worker was also in the office speaking to the receptionist. When she was finished, the receptionist said hello and the new social worker said nothing. I said hello, and still not one word. I then stood in her face and resonated my voice. She immediately turned red and spoke. She heard me the first time. Why did I have to go through embarrassing her for her to be civil?
In a meeting that I was apart of where we discussed the residents in the building, with my position there isn't a whole lot to be said. But because of my training, I can spot domestic violence when others wouldn't really notice it much. I brought the subject up to the new social worker only after giving her a brief synapse of my resume. It became quiet and she said if she and I could speak in her office. After that day, it was apparent that my other co-workers forgot that my employment here isn't because it was all I could do. The mood was different and I was treated with respect that I didn't realize was absent from them.
This dynamic with people has also been found virtually as well. We don't see each other (just a personally created avatar) in this game of FarmTown, nevertheless the abilities and attitudes of our environment, genetics, and stereotypes seem to follow no matter what others may think. Those that have achieved a certain status in the game, when they hire workers they aren't as forth coming to speak. They only wish for the worker to get the job done and move on. The worker could have a PhD but who would know that? I have achieved a certain status and have hired people on my farm as well. I speak to them but when they see my farm, they aren't very talkative. I had a woman work for me in the several businesses that I have. She just looked at how I designed my farm and commented on it. Funny, both of us were cordial to one another, she wouldn't extend her conversation any farther then vague information. This was not the case when I began the game and at the beginner's levels.
Now where does the Word fit in this? To be meek and humble (Matthew 5:5 KJV) is a decision as with obtaining life as opposed to death (Proverbs 18:21 NKJV); however, when we make up our minds to be ourselves with people no matter what the status, this comes from the Word as well (James 2:2-4 KJV). The problem is, once achieving a certain level of social or financial status, we can't help but behave and speak differently from those who have not. The Word says, let the Words of my mouth and meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength and redeemer (Psalm 19:14 KJV). Well, isn't it obvious that people with a higher social and financial status had a different vision than someone on a lesser level. With a different vision comes a different language - doesn't it? Tycoons don't hem and haw, they get the job completed. It is obvious in real life, as I depicted here and in a virtual game where people don't know where you are from, the color of your skin, or the gender unless you tell them. How could I be offended with them being so rude? They see me at a specific age doing a job that doesn't require a college education. True, they are assuming, but wouldn't you?
Personally in the game, I don't hire as many people as I used to. The men wouldn't complete the task and the women started to get uppity. By that I mean, if I hired more than just the one woman, she would pitch a fit for her to do the job herself or she would leave without completing what I hired her for. For myself, I don't usually accept jobs from other farmers unless I am trying to increase my level. I have more than enough money to do whatever it is that I need to do. Even in the game, it feels good.
The working on the farm with the plowing, sowing seed and harvesting to get to where you are trying to go is just a life lesson for a Christian all the way around. See what God says to you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)