Sunday, Sunday
I feel like writing, but I don't have anything formulated in my head right now. What is the point of this post? YGIAGAM
I wonder if my neighbor dislikes me because I gave her daughter a Bible book. I gave it to her as a trade for a book from some Jeh Witns who stopped into our neighborhood. I didn't force my beliefs. So, to me I did a great thing by giving her a choice...she could keep the one from me or I'd give her back the book the JWs gave her (she had left it with me to look at). I was saving her daughter from a book with some strange information in it. But I didn't really look at it from the perspective that she may be more favorable of the JWs than of my faith. So, really, in her mind what I did may not be a good thing. Do I regret giving her daughter a Bible book? (it was a gospel of Mark book in kind of a comic book style which was really cool) Not a bit. I've had numerous conversations with the girl about faith...at a level she could process. We love her. She's great. I'm glad I could share my testimony with her. But I'm unsure how to proceed in forming my relationship with my neighbor. I really care about her too.
posted by Mellifluous @ 9/24/2006 04:38:00 PM
4 comments
4 Comments:
Wow... interesting situation, but probably a common one among Christians with a heart for non-believers.
You didn't say in your post that your neighbor had given you any indication that she disliked you or disapproved of the trade. So, if the trouble is all in your head, that's where I would leave it.
But if you really feel that she disapproves, maybe you should apologize to her to send the message that you respect her role as this girl's mother. That might strengthen your witness with the mother. And if she feels that you respect her, she might not be so touchy about you giving Bible stuff to her daughter. If you're feeling really empowered, you could explain your thought process to her the way you described it to us... your good intentions, and then the later realization that she might not approve. Apologies and vulnerability can be very disarming. (Clarification: You would not be apologizing for giving her daughter the book, but for having done so without her permission.)
Now, this being said, I have created a prototype of this woman in my head to whom all my suggestions would apply perfectly. People are so different in how they feel about things and how they react to people for a whole host of reasons. You know her infinitely better than I do, and if my thoughts seem like a bad idea, they probably are.
By the way, I was sorry I didn't get a chance to talk to you in class this morning. I wanted to at least say hello and see how you're doing.
So, I ended up getting off the couch and just going over to talk with her. Didn't bring the Bible book up, but she didn't seem at all upset with me since we talked for an hour. :)
random sidebar: I gave my mormon friend a bible before I left for school.
I'm pretty sure I know what my Christmas present is now.
I'm really glad that your neighbor wasn't offended. I truly believe that gifts given with the spirit of love are most often received in the same spirit they are given.
And Sara, I'm not so sure you'll get a Book of Mormon for Christmas. We Mormons are often so worried about offending people that we're too chicken to share what you and Melissa are so free with. I admire that about you.
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