Monday, February 07, 2011

Going to the Balcony

My daughter and I were recently riding in the car to one of our many destinations and she shared a recent situation she had experienced.  She recently became involved in a new “activity” and she told  me how she enjoys this experience but she just doesn’t feel welcome.   (Keep in mind this is a Christian activity).  I asked her to explain and she went on to say, “Everyone is really nice but I just don’t feel welcome.  They’re just hard to get to know.”

My mama bear was ready to jump out of my skin at this comment. Who wouldn’t welcome my little baby girl.   Upon our arrival to the “activity” I had half a mind to jump out the car, rush into the “place” and give these folks a piece of my mama mind accompanied by some of my mama body language (a.k.a. my thriller pose)


Realizing my baby is now considered an adult, I figured I better not react in this matter and more importantly, I represent Jesus.  I must represent well.   Luckily my mind took over my feelings since I had hopped in the car that morning in my brown loafers, raggedy old hoodie with holes, and my booty pants.

 (*insert random explanation which has nothing to do with this blog post.  Booty pants are these hand-me-down pants my oldest daughter left at my house this summer.  This is my term and they are not sold under that description.  These britches are the MOST comfortable stretchy pants I have ever worn.  And I’ve worn me some stretchy pants through the years.  They have a yoga style waist and they are definitely not appropriate for public especially for a 40 something mother of two.   Imagine  cloth covering the moon with all it’s craters.   Yeah.  Yikes is my thought too! …end of random explanation*)



Praise Jesus I resisted the urge to react but I pondered this thought as I drove back home.  How many times have I felt the same way among people.  Christian people.  You know the times where you are the ‘new gal on the block’ where pleasantries are exchanged and that’s that.  For some reason you can encounter a new group of people and walk away feeling worse than you did before the encounter.    

Last week at our local MOPS group where I volunteer as a mentor mom, our guest speaker shared with us about “balcony" and “basement" people.  Basically my take is:

  • Basement people – those that suck the life out of you.  Pull you down.  Discourage you.  Make you feel worse and not better.  Steer you the wrong way.
  • Balcony people – those that lift you up,  love unconditional without judgement, make you a better person.

Though these terms have been around for years, they were new to me.   I have decided I want to be a balcony person. 


Mother Teresa (now there’s a major Balcony example) said:

Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier.

Jordyn’s situation has actually improved.  After a nice ice-breaker game her peers are coming out of their shells.  Relationships are blooming. She realizes it was a good test for her and she is in the process of growing and making new friends. 

My challenge for us (me included) this week is to be a balcony to EVERYONE you meet.  (Ladies—sorry to break it to you but this includes your husbands too!!!!).  It may be hard at first but with the power of The Holy spirit helping us we can share the love of Christ with everyone we meet this week. 

We will part with the words from Peter in 1 Peter 4 (The Message Bible)

 Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything. Be quick to give a meal to the hungry, a bed to the homeless—cheerfully. Be generous with the different things God gave you, passing them around so all get in on it: if words, let it be God's words; if help, let it be God's hearty help. That way, God's bright presence will be evident in everything through Jesus, and he'll get all the credit as the One mighty in everything—encores to the end of time. 



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1 comment:

Jennifer Hasty said...

Great situation to use your basement/balcony theme. It IS hard for some people to feel welcomed. I think I'll step out of my comfort zone to be a balcony person too - and start with the kids!

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