Behaving More Like Christ | Previous Challenge Entry

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TITLE: Behaving More Like Christ | Previous Challenge Entry
By Janice Aylor
09/02/21
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Many years ago, I attended a church where nearly everyone tried to pattern their behavior after the Lord Jesus’ behavior. There was one lady there, however, who was disagreeable nearly all of the time. Betty did not try to get along with others at all. Betty once remarked to another woman, “I think your kids’ behavior is really bad. You should not let your kids disrupt the other kids while they are rehearsing.”

I think Betty did not notice that her two offspring were behaving worse than anyone else’s children in the entire building. She continued to rant on and on until another woman, Ruby, said, “In a few minutes everyone will be getting out of the building and heading for home. Perhaps we should see how these children interact with the others when they are all together heading home on the church bus.”

As it turned out, all the kids were fine on the ride home. Oh, there were the usual small arguments such as, “You’re squishing my notebook,” and “Quit shoving me!” But overall, most of the kids behaved.

The next time there was a mid-week service, everyone had had a good day and no one was stressed out. This helped a lot and all were in a better frame of mind. Most of the people there did try to behave as Christ would and not as the world would normally behave. Betty was still ready to argue with anyone who did not agree with her. She grumbled, “I wish there were more parents who put their kids in the nursery rather than having them in the service. Since the kids get restless and begin crying and whining throughout the preaching and even during the singing, it makes it so hard to concentrate.”

I said to Betty, “You have a point. Perhaps we should suggest the nursery to new people who visit our church.”

Betty was surprised I agreed with her. I noticed she did appear more agreeable for the remainder of the service.

For the next several weeks, I tried to help Betty and others who had legitimate complaints concerning how things were run at the church. Of course, we had to keep the by-laws of the church and run things the way the pastor and the deacons felt they should be run, but there was a place for discussion of matters not covered by regulations.

After several months, most people in the church felt more comfortable and decided living the way Christ would live was easier when there was less arguing and bickering. Many members felt better not acting like the world.

We still had problems sometimes. After all, no church is perfect. But at least we were better off than we were before.

FICTION

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