Considerate Inclusion

This morning I read a devotion in a new book titled "The One Year Book of Inspiration for Girlfriends." I just purchased the book after seeing it on the desk of my friend, Gail. Since girlfriends are very special to me I figured the book would be enjoyable as well as inspirational.

I almost had to laugh at the words I read this morning. You see, I'm slow. I'm intentionally slow. My new motto is "Time is life." I never did like "Time is money," so I've taken this new motto to heart.

I wasn't always slow. It's only been since I was saved back in '78 that I've become a slower person. And the place it most definiately makes people mad is on the road. So when I read the devotion this morning I smiled.

Bill McGlashen said: "Patience is something you admire in the driver behind you, but not in one ahead." And Ellen Miller went on to say she was convicted when she realized how inconsiderate she is with others, especially s...l...o...w ones.

She said she's always in a hurry no matter if it's walking, talking, driving, etc. She doesn't have a problem with "being patience when it come to things or circumstances--just people." And she realizes "this is actually a form of inconsiderate exclusion. Considerate inclusion must be extended to those who think and operate at a slower rate than I do."

The devotion ends with her account of walking into church behind a homeless man. She was running a bit late for church and not too patient. Then she saw how receptive her fellow leaders were toward this man. "Seeing the considerate inclusion of this poor soul by our well-heeled congregation made me so proud of who we are as Christians.

The scripture verse for the devotion exhorts all of us to be patient and encouraging: "May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus."

I guess I will always be slow . . . slowly enjoy the conversation with a friend . . . slowly driving through back roads to enjoy the views, and slowly reading God's word to get everything out of it I can.

I snapped the picture above while slowly driving home from work the other week. I found the doe and two fawns having a relaxing afternoon in the field. After a few snaps, this horse decided to see what was going on. Time is life.